SGT. AUGUSTINE PERROTTI

From the Newspaper:

The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Sunday, April 9, 1944

"Exploding in midair with a force that tore it into three pieces, a B-24 Army Liberator carried nine of its crew members to death yesterday morning as it disintegrated over a two mile area just west of the Chickasaw Ordnance Works near Millington."

SGT. PERROTTI's sister, IDA GOOLEY, said of her brother:

"Augustine Perrotti was born on September 7, 1923 to Frank and Josephine C. Perrotti, who were vegetable farmers. He was the firstborn of six children and was named after his paternal grandfather according to Italian custom.

Five of us Ida, Frank, Gloria, Raymond, and Margaret (Peg) in that order are still living all within ten miles of each other.

There is not much to say about AUGIE (GUS) in the sense of accomplishments in his short time on this earth. Most of his time was spent growing up, working on the farm and schooling. He was drafted at age 18 and was looking forward to going into the Air Force.

I can tell you about him as a person - he was not a troublesome boy, he was low key, kind, sensitive, hard working and eager to better himself. He was "big brother" to all of his siblings. He loved to dance and we spent most of our teen age years going to dances and roller-skating. He had many friends and all were devastated by his sudden death. He was engaged to a home town girl whom he knew most of his growing up years. She eventually married and died recently.

His death left a great void in our lives and is still very hurtful, we console ourselves with the thought of patriotism and giving your life honorably for your country - but what a waste war is!"

SGT. PERROTTI's sister, PEG PALLOTTO, said of her brother:

"One of the last times she saw her brother was during a blackout and they were in the family kitchen. She was seven years old. She sat on his lap and sang him a song."