Category Archives: Purple Heart Medal

STAFF SERGEANT FREDERICK “TED” BALLOU NESTLER; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: March 31, 1925 (New York City, NY) – February 21, 2004 (Norwalk, CT); 78 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Jane D. Ford (1927-) on June 26, 1953, in Norwalk, CT. Jane Ford is the sister of Hobart Ford, who was killed during WWII. CHILDREN: One son, Peter (1955-). One daughter, Lauralee L. Nestler Gedney (1957-).MARRIAGEContinue reading “STAFF SERGEANT FREDERICK “TED” BALLOU NESTLER; U.S. ARMY”

CORPORAL CHARLES WILLIAM RICHMOND; U.S. MARINE CORPS

DOB/DOD: December 24, 1925 (Norwalk, CT) – July 14, 2003 (Agawam, MA); 77 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Pauline Lippolis (1929-2014) on September 17, 1949 in Norwalk, CTCHILDREN: Two sons, William C. (1962-) and David J. (1966-). Two daughters, Anne J. Richmond Wright (1956-) and Patricia M. (1958-).LOCAL ADDRESS: 3 McKendry Court, Rowayton, and 5 WilliamContinue reading “CORPORAL CHARLES WILLIAM RICHMOND; U.S. MARINE CORPS”

FIREMAN 2ND CLASS RUSSELL ELIHU RISING; U.S. NAVY

DOB/DOD: April 3, 1919 (Norwalk, CT) – May 21, 2000 (Port St. Lucie, FL); 79 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Gladys E. Thoele (1920-2011) on June 7, 1941, in Norwalk, CTCHILDREN: Two sons, David (1942-), and Douglas M. (1943-). Three daughters, Linda Rising Trottier (1946-), Bonnie Rising Boaz (1948-), and Sheryl Rising Skidd (1954-).LOCAL ADDRESS: 13Continue reading “FIREMAN 2ND CLASS RUSSELL ELIHU RISING; U.S. NAVY”

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH JOHN TAVELLA; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: September 16, 1916 (Norwalk, CT) – July 28, 1999 (Dayton, OH); 82 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Carmela M. Fabrizio (1921-1995) on April 26, 1941, in Norwalk, CTCHILDREN: One son, Richard A. (1944-).LOCAL ADDRESS: 9 Godfrey Street, NorwalkENLISTMENT: January 3, 1944DISCHARGE: September 8, 1845SERVICE NUMBER: 31409152UNIT: 5th Infantry Division FAMILY: Born to Joseph (1891-1984) andContinue reading “PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH JOHN TAVELLA; U.S. ARMY”

STAFF SERGEANT JAMES JOSEPH REED, SR.; U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE

DOB/DOD: March 19, 1925 (Norwalk, CT) – August 17, 1992 (Norwalk, CT); 67 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Mildred D’Orso (1926-2005) on October 4, 1947, in Norwalk, CT CHILDREN: Two sons, James J. Jr. (1950-) and David (1951-). Two daughters, Barbara Reed Bruce (1954-) and Susan Reed Peden (1961-).LOCAL ADDRESS: 21 First Street, 14 Lawrence Street,Continue reading “STAFF SERGEANT JAMES JOSEPH REED, SR.; U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE”

STAFF SERGEANT RUSSELL ANTHONY KELLY; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: October 23, 1923 (New York, NY) – October 27, 1998 (Rocky Hill, CT); 75 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Claire A. Szalai (1936-1993) on May 23, 1959 in Norwalk. Married Constance J. Church (1942-2011) on May 26, 1973 in Darien, CT. Divorced in 1978. CHILDREN: Five sons, Russell “Rusty” A. III (1960-), Brendan J. (1961-),Continue reading “STAFF SERGEANT RUSSELL ANTHONY KELLY; U.S. ARMY”

FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWIN SAFIR; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: July 2, 1917 (New York City) – November 25, 1996 (Norwalk, CT); 79 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Alice Hetwich Frieda Dittmar (1919-2014) of Young America, Minnesota; she served as an Army nurse during WWII and met Edwin Safir when she cared for his injuries in EnglandCHILDREN: Two sons, Edwin T. (1948-) and Thomas F.Continue reading “FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWIN SAFIR; U.S. ARMY”

MASTER SERGEANT WILLIAM HENRY BUCHTA, JR.; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: February 10, 1917 (Norwalk, CT) – January 13, 1999 (Branford, CT); 81 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Doris L. Paquet (1917-1992) on March 22, 1947, in Stamford, CTCHILDREN: One daughter, Janet L. Buchta Miller (1944-).LOCAL ADDRESS: 6 Pogany Street and 34 Saddle RoadENLISTMENT: May 1, 1942SERVICE NUMBER: 31118833DISCHARGE: April 11, 1946UNIT: Company D, 1st Battalion,Continue reading “MASTER SERGEANT WILLIAM HENRY BUCHTA, JR.; U.S. ARMY”

STAFF SERGEANT JOHN JOSEPH SILK, JR.; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: August 12, 1919 (Norwalk, CT) – June 12, 1999 (Norwalk, CT); 79 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married to Jean E. Thompson (1927-2014) on August 14, 1948 in Norwalk, CTCHILDREN: Two sons, John J. III (1956-) and Scott T. (1958-).LOCAL ADDRESS: West Cedar StreetENLISTMENT: February 9, 1942DISCHARGE: July 8, 1945SERVICE NUMBER: 31063228UNIT: Company H, 116th InfantryContinue reading “STAFF SERGEANT JOHN JOSEPH SILK, JR.; U.S. ARMY”

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANK “SHAG” JOHN REDA, SR.; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: January 17, 1915 (Bronx, NY) – August 28, 1994 (Norwalk, CT); 79 years oldMARITAL STATUS: Married Ruth Hoggson (1918-1991) on June 15, 1940, in Norwalk, CTCHILDREN: One son, Frank J. Reda Jr. (1945-). One daughter, Barbara “Bonnie” F. Reda Stankiewicz (1943-2022). LOCAL ADDRESS: 14 Spruce Street and 5 Cutrone Road, NorwalkENLISTMENT: January 24, 1944DISCHARGE:Continue reading “PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANK “SHAG” JOHN REDA, SR.; U.S. ARMY”