John Mancini

Submitted by: John Mancini

John Mancini born around 1895. John Mancini served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1917.

Story of Service

 

Pvt Luigi Merola was a member of the 3rd Platoon, Co K, 305th Reg, 77th Division.

His platoon was entrenched in front of Villars-en-Prayeres, near the Aisne River. About midnight September 13th, 1918, a mortar shell struck his trench. He was wounded by shrapnel in the stomach and soon died. According to Sgt James P. Moan of his Company, Luigi's last words were: "Now I'm going to rest in Paradise."

He was buried in a shallow grave and later exhumed in 1919 for proper burial. In 1922, his remains were removed from France and sent to his mother in Italy for permanent burial.

Luigi was awarded a Purple Heart upon recent appeal by his family in New York.