August 22, 1915 (Brooklyn, NY) – January 31, 1981 (Norwalk, CT); 65 years old
Married Rose Dolores Garofalo on January 19, 1946, in Fairfield, CT.
Two daughters, Jo Ann (1950-1922) and Theresa Raguseo Letellier (1947-).
Local address: 76 Lexington Avenue, South Norwalk
Enlisted on August 5, 1943
Serial number 31338315
Unit: 30th Infantry Division, 119th Infantry Regiment, Company G
Born to Rosario Raguseo (1885-1948) and Teresa “Tessie” Fusco Raguseo (1891-1969), both born in Italy. Brothers Luigi (1912-1932), Frank (1913-1979), Ralph (1917-1995), and Angelo (1920-2000), and sisters Rose (1925-1928) and Concetta “Connie” Raguseo Ferraris (1913-1991). Frank and Connie were twins.
Held in German POW camp Stalag 6G Bonn Rheinland, Prussia 50-07.
Telegram March 24, 1945; contributed by Theresa Letellier
Telegram June 1, 1945; contributed by Theresa Letellier
Telegram June 20, 1945; contributed by Theresa Letellier
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal. In the National Purple Heart Museum’s Roll of Honor.
To see the page in his honor, click HERE.
Letter contributed by Theresa Letellier.
According to daughter Jo Ann, “he was shot in the back trying to escape from the prison camp. He was operated on by either a French or a German doctor in the camp. Years later, when he had some surgery, they said he still had shrapnel in his body.”
Another story by Jo Ann Raguseo: “One of his best friends there was Art Maestro. When my father was in the prison camp, he heard a familiar voice. He turned around, and there was Art, a prisoner in the same camp.” Also, “once, my father was in a foxhole with 2 or 3 other guys. A bomb or something hit them. My father was the only one who survived.” “While in the camp, they had to cut wood in the Black Forest. They had very little to eat, but my father said the camp guards didn’t have much more than them. One day they found a dead animal. They cooked it for hours so they’d have something to eat. When he came home, he weighed 90 pounds.”
To read letters to and from PFC Raguseo, click HERE.
From The Norwalk Hour November 6, 1944
Private First Class Joseph Raguseo, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rosario Raguseo, 76 Lexington Avenue, is reported by the War Department as missing in Germany since October 18, 1944, according to a telegram received by his parents. Private First Class Raguseo has been in the service for nine months. Six months were spent in this country and three overseas. He was in the infantry. In civilian life, he was employed as a hatter at the Norwalk Hat Company.
From The Norwalk Hour March 31, 1945
Private First Class Joseph Raguseo, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rosario Raguseo of 76 Lexington Avenue, is another Norwalk soldier who was previously reported by the War Department as missing in action but who is a prisoner of war in Germany. Private First Class Raguseo had been reported as missing on October 18, 1944, but about three weeks ago his parents received a letter from him, telling them that he is a prisoner but that he is well and unhurt. A week later, there was confirmation from the War Department. Private First Class Raguseo had been in the service for about nine months at the time of his capture and had been overseas for three months. In civilian life, he was a hatter with the Norwalk Hat Company.
From “Connecticut Men of The US Army, Demobilization, Fort Devens, Mass — Nov 21-24, 1945.”
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; plot number unknown.
Photo pending
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