Louis F. Fattore

TECHNICIAN FOURTH CLASS LOUIS F. FATTORE was born in New Jersey on April 16, 1918 to Domenic and Domenica Fattore, who had come to America from Italy, in 1903 and 1913 respectively. Domenic Fattore worked as a cement finisher. Louis, named Luigi at birth, was their first child. He was followed by Mario, Domenic Jr., Mary, and Leona. There was also a step-son, Alberto J. Fattore. The family was living in 1930 at 826 South 5th Street in Camden NJ. Louis Fattore attended Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street in East Camden, before transferring to Camden County Vocational School on Browning Road in Pennsauken NJ, where he graduated in 1939, after studying electricity and radio.

Louis Fattore had enlisted into the Army in March of 1942 and reported to Fort Dix NJ. By October of 1942 he had been promoted to Sergeant, and was stationed at Fort Bragg NC. He volunteered for parachute duty, and was trained at Fort Benning GA. On 1 May 1942 The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia and was later attached to the newly designated 82nd Airborne Division under General Omar N. Bradley. In April 1943, the 82nd departed Fort Bragg and eventually arrived at Casablanca, Morocco, on May 10. Shortly, the Division moved to Oujda where intense training was conducted for the invasion of Sicily -- Operation HUSKY. After arriving in Casablanca, the 504th began the grueling preparations for the drops into Sicily from their base in North Africa. 

On July 9, 1943, the 505th Parachute Infantry conducted the first American regimental combat parachute assault in the vicinity of Gela, Sicily. The paratroopers were widely scattered, but were able to gather into small groups to harass the enemy. On the night of July 10, the 504th was ordered to jump on the Farello Airstrip, which was held by the Americans. On the evening of July 11, the remainder of the 504th parachuted into Sicily. Passing over the American fleet, the transports were mistaken for enemy bombers.  One anti-aircraft gunner opened up on the transports and soon other itchy trigger fingers jerked in response. Twenty-three of 144 USAAF transports were shot down by friendly fire. Eighty-one troopers were killed, including the assistant division commander, Brigadier General Charles Keerans. The 82nd continued its fighting in Sicily by leading Patton’s westward drive to Trapani and Castellemare. In five days, the Division moved 150 miles and took 23,000 prisoners. 

Fighting continued on Sicily, and Louis Fattore was killed in action on July 21, 1943. His death was reported in the August 27, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. When the war was over, his body was returned to America, and he was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly NJ on July 29, 1948.

Brother Mario Fattore Joined the Camden Fire Department in 1948, and a nephew, Louis Fattore also went on to serve as a Camden fire fighter.

July 25, 1948