Prviate Victor Vito Paparazo
– E Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment –

Victor Paparazo.

Victor Paparazo, known as “Vito” was born on 28th of September 1925 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Private Paparazo

He enlisted on March 28th, 1944. He trained at Camp Blanding in Florida for 17 weeks and was then immediately shipped to Europe. Late July 1944 he went overseas where he went into battle.

Victor Paparazo’s Training completion

He fought with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. In October 1944, Victor found himself in the Battle of the Huertgen Forest. On October 6th, 1944, the 60th Infantry Regiment moved out in order to cut the main B399 Duren – Monschau road and to take the crossroads of Richelskaul, just south of Germeter. From here, 2nd Battalion turned south, and advanced onto the Raffelsbrand Junction. The area was littered with bunkers and pillboxes, and resistance was strong. Heavy enemy artillery barrages kept raining down on the men, and their positions hardly moved for days. Several attacks were made, and several counter attacks came in. During these fights, Victor Paparazo was killed in action on October 14th, 1944, just over 2 weeks after he turned 19 years old.

The Casualty listing mentions Victor Paparazo

Victor Paparazo’s grave in Belgium

Today, Victor’s last resting place is at the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium where he lays between his brothers in arms.
I have adopted Victor’s grave, and visit it regularly. His actions for my freedom will never be forgotten.

Grave adoption papers

A memorial also has been created for Victor in the United States. There at the Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Mount Carbon, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on the Paparazo family grave, Victor has been mentioned as well.

The Paparazo family grave marker.

Victor’s actions for our freedom will never be forgotten.