September 21, 1924 (Norwalk, CT) – November 30, 1944; 20 years old
Married to Florence Yuftczak Santo Bossone (1924-2022) on October 1, 1943, in Norwalk
Last local address: 1 Tierney Street, East Norwalk
Enlisted March 3, 1943
Service number: 31326735
Unit: 296th Engineer Combat Battalion
Born to Louis A. (1899-1934) and Susan “Susie” H. Falasaca Santo (1901-1970). Susan was born in Italy. Three sisters, Loretta J. Santo Dicostanzo (1921-1989), Eleanor C. Santo Mastropietro (1930-2002), and Yolanda (1934-?).
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
From The Norwalk Hour, December 13, 1944
Private Louis W. Santo, 20, husband of Mrs. Florence Yufcak Santo of 27 Tierney Street, and son of Mrs. Susie Santo of 6 Tierney Street, was killed in action in Germany on November 30 according to a telegram from the War Department. Private Santo entered the Army on March 11, 1943, and went overseas the following October. It was just prior to being sent overseas that he had his only furlough home and was then married. The local soldier received his training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and Camp Shelby, Mississippi, then went to England, France, Belgium, and to Germany where he was killed. He was a member of a combat engineering unit. The day that the telegram arrived, his wife had received a string of pearls as a Christmas gift and a letter telling that he was fine and in good spirits. The letter was dated November 27. He was killed three days later. In the early part of the fighting at the German border, Private Santo suffered frost-bitten feet and would have normally been sent to a base hospital. But, due to difficulty traveling on the muddy and rough roads, he was treated near the front lines and when he recovered, he immediately returned to his outfit. Private Santo was the son of the late Louis Santo. In addition to his mother and wife, three sisters survive, Misses Loretta, Eleanor, and Yolanda Santo. The local lad attended public schools here and before entering the service he was employed by the Fairfield Knitwear Company.
From The Norwalk Hour February 3, 1945
The Purple Heart Medal and Presidential Unit Citation, posthumously awarded her husband, Private Louis W. Santo, who was killed in action in Germany on November 30, 1944, were received on Thursday by his wife, Mrs. Florence Yufcak Santo of 27 Tierney Street. Private Santo, who was the son of Mrs. Susie Santo of 6 Tierney Street, went into the service on March 11, 1943, and was previously employed by the Fairfield Knitwear Company. He had been overseas since October 1943.
From: https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1998-08-12-9808090035-story.html
Not everyone in the unit lived through the battles like the men from Middletown had, and on the trips, remembering the men who died in battle has been a somber, emotional revisiting. The grave of Louis Santo of Norwalk, who died in the Battle of The Bulge, was visited by battalion members during the trips. It was half a century ago, and he lives on in the memories of the men he served with. “He was a nice young man,” LaBella said.
Buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Rue du Mémorial Américain 159, 4852 Plombières, Belgium; Plot E, Row 12, Grave 18. Picture provided Amandine Jaunet, Guide, Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.
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