An Adopted Grave

Adopted grave of TEC 5 Joseph Fumagalli

(If you want to know more about Jospeph Fumagalli, see his page in the Roll of Honor)

While investigating the 17th Engineers who died in Europe during World War Two, we found a grave in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery that had not yet been adopted.
One of our members has ensured that the grave has been adopted by our association MARS and has also managed to contact the relatives in America.
It is the grave of:

Joseph (Giuseppe) Silvio Fumagalli
Grade: Technician 5th Grade
Born: in 1923
Residance: New York, the Bronx
Enlisted for active duty: 02/23/1943
Awards and Citations: Purple Heart
Deceased: 01/19/1945 (KIA) Killed in Action
Location: near Houffalize (not confirmed)
Army Serial Number: 32813723
Burial: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial
Henri-Chapelle
Arrondissement de Verviers
Liège, Belgium
Plot: E row 12 grave 24
GPS (lat/lon): 50°41’53.4″N 5°54’05.3″E

Before the War

We have obtained information from the relatives, family, about the life of Joseph before and during the war, below a summary.

About Joseph Fumagalli

Joseph was born as Giuseppe (means Joseph) Silvio Fumagalli but enlisted as Joseph. He wanted to be an actor and was in contact with a New York City theater group when he was drafted in 1943. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1922 from Campofreddo, a small village in Italy where his brother Orazio was born. He spoke fluent Italian, English and Spanish. Joseph spoke standard Italian and English as well.

Joseph Fumagalli 10 years of age with his family

His father Francesco, was a Photographer and painter and served in WWI for Italy as a translator for the British Navy. His brother Orazio a sculptor in WWII, served in an anti-submarine sonar duty in the North Atlantic for the US Coast Guard (part of the US NAVY at times of war) even though he was not a US citizen. He obtained his citizenship several years after WWII. Orazio got the word of the death of his brother Joseph when he was serving in the North Atlantic.

Christmas Card with Jospeh Fumagalli

US Sensus 1940, Bronx, New York City, New York, United States

US Sensus 1940, Bronx New York

Joseph Fumegalli

United States Census, 1940

Name	Joseph Fumegalli
Event Type	Census
Event Date	1940
Event Place	Assembly District 7, Bronx, New York City, Bronx, New York, United States
Gender	Male
Age	16
Marital Status	Single
Race	White
Race	White
Relationship to Head of Household	Son
Relationship to Head of Household	Son
Birthplace	New York
Birth Year (Estimated)	1924
Last Place of Residence	Same Place

Household

Role	Sex	Age	Birthplace
Frank Fumegalli	Head	M	45	Italy
Louisa Fumegalli	Wife	F	46	Italy
Drazio Fumegalli	Son	M	19	Italy
Joseph Fumegalli	Son	M	16	New York
Remiga Fumegalli	Daughter	F	15	New York

Frank Fumagalli	Male	45	Married	White	Head	Italy	1895
Louisa Fumagalli	Female	46	Married	White	Wife	Italy	1894	Same Place
Orazio Fumagalli	Male	19	Single	White	Son	Italy	1921	Same Place
Joseph Fumagalli	Male	16	Single	White	Son	New York	1924	Same Place
Remiga Fumagalli	Female	15	Single	White	Daughter	New York	1925	Same Place

Where did Joseph Fumagalli live as a 16 year old son in the year 1940 with his family?

Adress: 608 West, 189th Street, New York City, New York, United States

Enlistment february 1943

Joseph Fumagalli

United States World War II Army Enlistment Records

Name	Joseph Fumagalli
Name	FUMAGALLI JOSEPH
Event Type	Military Service
Event Date	23 Feb 1943
Term of Enlistment	Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place	New York City, New York, United States
Race	White
Citizenship Status	citizen
Birth Year	1923
Birthplace	NEW YORK
Education Level	3 years of high school
Marital Status	Single, without dependents
Military Rank	Private
Army Branch	Branch Immaterial – Warrant Officers, USA
Army Component	Selectees (Enlisted Men)

In England 1944

J. Fumagalli, England, 2 september 1944, “After a hard day work and still smiling” (Source: Piera Fumagalli)

J. Fumagalli, England, 2 september 1944, “After a hard day work and still smiling” ( Source: Piera Fumagalli)

“After a hard days work, and still smiling”

L.to R.
Top Row

Lennie Diluro, Joe Cupido, Lt Haley,
Porter.

Bottom row
“Marty Marlino, Me, Buddy Hanlon

SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND 2/9/44

J. Fumagalli, England, 2 september 1944, “After a hard day work and still smiling” (Piera Fumagalli)

Joseph Fumagalli With Buddy Hanlon, England

Joseph Fumagalli With Buddy Hanlon, England achterzijde

Me and Buddy Hanlon
Dressed to kill “What?” Out of Uniform

“Taking a stroll in ‘rear’ English Sunlight”

Somewhere in England

During Normandy Campaign 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge 1945

Phase: The Ardennes Campaign; in rest areas

After action reports states on the january 19th, 1945: “17th Engr Batt. were required the construction of several treadway bridges because of the enemy’s excellent demolition work. Several of these bridges were built under observed fire, but Engr causualties were light. Mines caused other casualties, as did enemy fire to mine—clearing parties working forward”.

(Source: After action reports from December 16th, 1944 to January 24th 1945)

“Joseph Fumagalli served in the Normandy invasion and was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. He had served previously in another unit but was wounded and sent to hospital. After his stay, he was sent back to the front but not in his unit and not with his buddies.”
(As being told by Piera Fumagalli)

We know from research that the days before and on January 19, 1945 the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion in the vicinity of Houffalize (Belgium) carried out various activities, a quote from one of the after action reports: “17th Engr Batt. were required the construction of several treadway bridges because of the enemy’s excellent demolition work. Several of these bridges were built under observed fire, but Engr causualties were light. Mines caused other casualties, as did enemy fire to mine clearing parties working forward ”. And between January 17 and January 21, 1945, 36 foot M2 treadway bridge is being constructed in Houffalize, so it is quite possible that Joseph Fumagalli was killed in the aforementioned activities on january 19, 1945.