Marine Corps Reserve Assistant Cook Frank L. Masoni, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.
Frank Louis Masoni was born in a house on Rucker Ave. in Gilroy on Oct. 29, 1922 to his parents, Italian immigrants Clorinda Sartor Masoni and Salvatore Masoni . Frank was a loving big brother to Louis Masoni, Salvatore Masoni, and Richard Masoni . Together the family survived the Great Depression by picking prunes and working odd jobs on local farms. Frank grew up attending Rucker, St. Mary's, and Gilroy Union High School, where he excelled in track. He worked at Pollyanna Bakery on Monterey St. in downtown Gilroy. He delivered bread, and then became the night baker.
Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in San Francisco on October 14, 1942. He attended basic training in San Diego, California. Frank became an assistant cook and received honors for his sharpshooting.
In November 1943, Masoni was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.
It was November 21st (D+1 for the "Battle of Tarawa") when young Frank - barely 21 years old - perished.
Frank was accounted for on August 29, 2017.
Frank Masoni is survived by his only living brother, Richard Masoni of Gilroy and Richard's adult children: Clorinda Sergi (Jim), Saldrrena Bettencourt (John), Riccardo Masoni (Debra), Lewchonna Masoni (Mark), Lanna Sandoval (Gabe)
Also survived by the adult children of his deceased brother Louis Masoni : Frank Masoni (Rosie), Louis Masoni, and Mark Masoni (Lisa). And the adult children of Frank's deceased brother Salvatore Masoni: Rick Masoni (Janet), Linda Gonzales (Frank), Susan Hickey (Mike), and David Masoni and many great and great, great, nieces and nephews.
The Masoni Family would like to invite our community to attend Services which will be held November 18, 2017.
Visitation at Habing Family Funeral Home 9AM-11AM with speaking at 10AM
Procession to Gavilan Hills Memorial Park for graveside military honors
Anyone who would like to line First Street to welcome and help guide our hero Frank Masoni home would be greatly appreciated.
----------------------
DPAA is appreciative to the Department of Veteran's Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Masoni's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Link - Obituary
Link - DPAA: Recent News & Stories
Frank Louis Masoni was born in a house on Rucker Ave. in Gilroy on Oct. 29, 1922 to his parents, Italian immigrants Clorinda Sartor Masoni and Salvatore Masoni . Frank was a loving big brother to Louis Masoni, Salvatore Masoni, and Richard Masoni . Together the family survived the Great Depression by picking prunes and working odd jobs on local farms. Frank grew up attending Rucker, St. Mary's, and Gilroy Union High School, where he excelled in track. He worked at Pollyanna Bakery on Monterey St. in downtown Gilroy. He delivered bread, and then became the night baker.
Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in San Francisco on October 14, 1942. He attended basic training in San Diego, California. Frank became an assistant cook and received honors for his sharpshooting.
In November 1943, Masoni was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.
It was November 21st (D+1 for the "Battle of Tarawa") when young Frank - barely 21 years old - perished.
Frank was accounted for on August 29, 2017.
Frank Masoni is survived by his only living brother, Richard Masoni of Gilroy and Richard's adult children: Clorinda Sergi (Jim), Saldrrena Bettencourt (John), Riccardo Masoni (Debra), Lewchonna Masoni (Mark), Lanna Sandoval (Gabe)
Also survived by the adult children of his deceased brother Louis Masoni : Frank Masoni (Rosie), Louis Masoni, and Mark Masoni (Lisa). And the adult children of Frank's deceased brother Salvatore Masoni: Rick Masoni (Janet), Linda Gonzales (Frank), Susan Hickey (Mike), and David Masoni and many great and great, great, nieces and nephews.
The Masoni Family would like to invite our community to attend Services which will be held November 18, 2017.
Visitation at Habing Family Funeral Home 9AM-11AM with speaking at 10AM
Procession to Gavilan Hills Memorial Park for graveside military honors
Anyone who would like to line First Street to welcome and help guide our hero Frank Masoni home would be greatly appreciated.
----------------------
DPAA is appreciative to the Department of Veteran's Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Masoni's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Link - Obituary
Link - DPAA: Recent News & Stories
Marine Corps Reserve Assistant Cook Frank L. Masoni, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.
Frank Louis Masoni was born in a house on Rucker Ave. in Gilroy on Oct. 29, 1922 to his parents, Italian immigrants Clorinda Sartor Masoni and Salvatore Masoni . Frank was a loving big brother to Louis Masoni, Salvatore Masoni, and Richard Masoni . Together the family survived the Great Depression by picking prunes and working odd jobs on local farms. Frank grew up attending Rucker, St. Mary's, and Gilroy Union High School, where he excelled in track. He worked at Pollyanna Bakery on Monterey St. in downtown Gilroy. He delivered bread, and then became the night baker.
Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in San Francisco on October 14, 1942. He attended basic training in San Diego, California. Frank became an assistant cook and received honors for his sharpshooting.
In November 1943, Masoni was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.
It was November 21st (D+1 for the "Battle of Tarawa") when young Frank - barely 21 years old - perished.
Frank was accounted for on August 29, 2017.
Frank Masoni is survived by his only living brother, Richard Masoni of Gilroy and Richard's adult children: Clorinda Sergi (Jim), Saldrrena Bettencourt (John), Riccardo Masoni (Debra), Lewchonna Masoni (Mark), Lanna Sandoval (Gabe)
Also survived by the adult children of his deceased brother Louis Masoni : Frank Masoni (Rosie), Louis Masoni, and Mark Masoni (Lisa). And the adult children of Frank's deceased brother Salvatore Masoni: Rick Masoni (Janet), Linda Gonzales (Frank), Susan Hickey (Mike), and David Masoni and many great and great, great, nieces and nephews.
The Masoni Family would like to invite our community to attend Services which will be held November 18, 2017.
Visitation at Habing Family Funeral Home 9AM-11AM with speaking at 10AM
Procession to Gavilan Hills Memorial Park for graveside military honors
Anyone who would like to line First Street to welcome and help guide our hero Frank Masoni home would be greatly appreciated.
----------------------
DPAA is appreciative to the Department of Veteran's Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Masoni's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Link - Obituary
Link - DPAA: Recent News & Stories
Frank Louis Masoni was born in a house on Rucker Ave. in Gilroy on Oct. 29, 1922 to his parents, Italian immigrants Clorinda Sartor Masoni and Salvatore Masoni . Frank was a loving big brother to Louis Masoni, Salvatore Masoni, and Richard Masoni . Together the family survived the Great Depression by picking prunes and working odd jobs on local farms. Frank grew up attending Rucker, St. Mary's, and Gilroy Union High School, where he excelled in track. He worked at Pollyanna Bakery on Monterey St. in downtown Gilroy. He delivered bread, and then became the night baker.
Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in San Francisco on October 14, 1942. He attended basic training in San Diego, California. Frank became an assistant cook and received honors for his sharpshooting.
In November 1943, Masoni was a member of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.
It was November 21st (D+1 for the "Battle of Tarawa") when young Frank - barely 21 years old - perished.
Frank was accounted for on August 29, 2017.
Frank Masoni is survived by his only living brother, Richard Masoni of Gilroy and Richard's adult children: Clorinda Sergi (Jim), Saldrrena Bettencourt (John), Riccardo Masoni (Debra), Lewchonna Masoni (Mark), Lanna Sandoval (Gabe)
Also survived by the adult children of his deceased brother Louis Masoni : Frank Masoni (Rosie), Louis Masoni, and Mark Masoni (Lisa). And the adult children of Frank's deceased brother Salvatore Masoni: Rick Masoni (Janet), Linda Gonzales (Frank), Susan Hickey (Mike), and David Masoni and many great and great, great, nieces and nephews.
The Masoni Family would like to invite our community to attend Services which will be held November 18, 2017.
Visitation at Habing Family Funeral Home 9AM-11AM with speaking at 10AM
Procession to Gavilan Hills Memorial Park for graveside military honors
Anyone who would like to line First Street to welcome and help guide our hero Frank Masoni home would be greatly appreciated.
----------------------
DPAA is appreciative to the Department of Veteran's Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Masoni's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Link - Obituary
Link - DPAA: Recent News & Stories
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