December 17, 1916 (Norwalk, CT) – April 22, 1996 (Branford, CT); 79 years old
Married to Olga Lombardi Caputo (1921-2012).
Two daughters, Janice Caputo Lapke (1952-) and Andrea Caputo Radley (1955-).
Enlisted from the National Guard on February 24, 1941, as a Corporal, then on April 1, 1943, was commissioned.
Discharged on March 13, 1946.
Serial number 20132818 then O-1824639 as an officer.
Unit: 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion; Company B
Born to Christopher (1880-1918) and Antonetta Pinto Caputo (1883-1947). Antonetta remarried Gerolamo Scianna.
Step brothers Anthony Scianna (1913-2010), James Scianna (1915-?). Brothers Joseph (1907-1960), James (1911-1973), and Christopher (1916-1996). Sisters Jean Caputo Pirnat (1908-1996), Paula Scianna Warga (1927-1999), Anna Caputo Macrides (1913-1981), and Mildred Caputo Pittocco (1915-2001).
Norwalk High School Class of ’34
Awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal as a Lieutenant during World War II.
Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star Medal
SECOND LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER P. CAPUTO, O1824639, 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, United States Army. For gallantry in action against the enemy near Laudesfeld, Germany, 18 September 1944. When a German tank began a close-range attack on a pill box being used as an Infantry forward outpost, Second Lieutenant Caputo, a Tank Destroyer Platoon Leader, exposed himself to enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire, with complete disregard for his personal safety, to reconnoiter positions for his two destroyers. Having placed his destroyers, Second Lieutenant Caputo further exposed himself to the enemy fire when he mounted the side of one destroyer to point out the tank position to his gun commander, who then placed effective fire upon it. The tank was destroyed; its crew was killed. Later in the day, when one of his gun commanders had unknowingly exposed his weapon to direct enemy anti-tank fire while performing a mission, Second Lieutenant Caputo dashed across an open road, under enemy fire, in order to warn his gun commander of the danger. At this time Second Lieutenant Caputo was wounded, but he continued to guide his destroyer to a position of safety. H then collapsed and was evacuated. Second Lieutenant Caputo’s personal courage and his leadership i the face of great danger materially influenced the results of the encounter and set an inspiring example for the members of his Battalion. Such gallantry in action reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army. Entered military service from: South Norwalk, Connecticut.
NOTE: Citation provided by Andrea Caputo Radley, daughter, via e-mail on November 10, 2021.
From The Norwalk Hour October 24, 1968
CAPUTO ELEVATED TO LIEUT. COLONEL
A Norwalk Connecticut Army National Guard officer who was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart in World War II has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned as an intelligence officer in the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 103rd Emergency Operation Headquarters at New London. He is Christopher P. Caputo of 5 Cindy Lane who, in civilian life, is an Internal Revenue Agent with the Stamford office of the Internal Revenue Service of Connecticut. Born in South Norwalk, Col. Caputo attended Norwalk High School and was awarded a bachelor of science degree at the University of Bridgeport. His initial military experience was with the Guard’s 192nd Field Artillery here in 1936. Col Caputo received his commission in 1943 at Fort Hood, Texas, and was then sent to the European Theater of Operations where he took part in the action at the Siegfried Line. In 1949, after his discharge from active duty, he was assigned to Norwalk’s 963rd Field Artillery where he served until he was again called to active duty in the Korean conflict. After serving in Germany in the Korean action, Col. Caputo joined the Norwalk unit as a battery commander, He was later promoted to major and named personnel officer. In 1962 he was reassigned to Waterbury’s 102nd Battle Group where he was an intelligence officer. In 1964 he was made operations and training officer with Support Command of the 43rd Command Headquarters at Hartford and in 1966 was made supply operations officer. The son of the late Christopher and Antonetta Caputo, Col. Caputo is married to the former Olga Lombardi of New York City and they have two children.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. Veterans Section.
Photo pending
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