December 24, 1920 (Fall River, MA) – April 7, 1943; 22 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 124 Woodward Avenue, South Norwalk
Enlisted on September 9, 1940
Service number: 11019646
Unit: 1st Infantry Division, 1st Recon Troop
Born to Giulio (1894-1973) and Itala Gragnani Mucci (1894-1980). Both parents were born in Italy. Two sisters, Mary Spero (1920-2014), and Leonora Mucci Discala (1925-2011).
Awarded the Silver Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal (twice). Killed by a landmine.
From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission
Silver Star Medal citation
General Order Number 11, HQ 1st Infantry Div, March 28, 1943
IV. Citations for Gallantry In Action
Under the provisions of paragraph 10, AR 600-45, and Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bull. No. 43, War Department, 1918), the following named officers and enlisted men are cited for gallantry in action and are entitled to war the Silver Star Decoration:
Aurelio Mucci, 11019646, Corporal, (then Private First Class), Cavalry. For gallantry in action. In an attempt to rescue six men of his troop caught in an enemy trap, Corporal Mucci calmly faced heavy enemy machine-gun and mortar fire in a futile search of the area. Corporal Mucci escaped from this area and enemy encirclement under cover, of darkness. Residence at enlistment: South Norwalk, Conn. Medal No. 19285.
From The Norwalk Hour April 21, 1943
Corporal Aurelio Mucci, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Giulio Mucci, of 124 Woodward Avenue was killed in action on April 7 in the North Africa area, according to a telegram received yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Mucci from Adjutant General James A. Ulio. The telegram was received shortly before noon yesterday and reads as follows:
“The secretary of war desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Aurelio Mucci, was killed in action in defense of his country in the North Africa area on April 7. Letter follows. Ulio, the Adjutant General.”
Corporal Mucci was known by his legion of friends as Ray. Prior to his enlistment in the Army on September 9, 1940, he was employed at the Hat Corporation of America as a hatter. In August of 1942 he went to England and from there was sent to the North African theater of war. Corporal Mucci was born in Fall River, Massachusetts in December 1919. With his parents and two sisters, he came to this city and had been a resident for 14 years. He attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School on Henry Street. Corporal Mucci was captain of the Calf Pasture Life Guards, was scoutmaster of Troop 6 of the Norwalk Boy Scouts, and a first aid instructor of the Norwalk Chapter of the American Red Cross. In all his activities he applied himself wholeheartedly and was very well-liked. His father is employed at the Fairfield plant of the United States Aluminum Company. Before going to the aluminum plant, he was employed as a fireman at the Hat Corporation of America. His two sisters, Mary and Elinore are employed in the local exchange of the Southern New England Telephone Company.
From The Norwalk Hour April 24, 1943
SCOUTS PAY TRIBUTE TO AURELIO MUCCI
Robert E. Pettit, scout executive, issued the following statement today: “The Norwalk District of the Mid-Fairfield Council, Boy Scouts of America, pays tribute to one of its scoutmasters, Aurelio Mucci, recently killed in action in North Africa. Ray entered Scouting in November 1937 as a Sea Scout of Ship 6, sponsored by the American Legion. In April 1938, he became a mate on the Ship and served in that capacity until April 1941. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 6, also sponsored by the American Legion, from March 1938, until March 1942, and from then until his death was a district member of Scouting. Ray was highly respected and well-liked by his fellow Scouters. The movement has suffered a great loss.”
Corporal Mucci is buried in Tunisia American Cemetery, 553 rue Roosevelt, Site archéologique de Carthage 2016, Tunisia; Block F, Row 17, Grave 14. Photo provided by Atef Gadrib, Cemetery Associate, North Africa American Cemetery.
END
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