At the time, 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna was assigned as Executive Officer 1st Platoon Leader, Company C, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division.
The following is taken via 7th Armored Division web site.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on August 16, 1944.
Ninth U. S. Army General Order No. 48, 23 November 1944.
for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 16 August 1944, in an attack near Leves, France, Lieutenant Fortuna was given the mission of clearing the town of enemy resistance. Having avaiable only men inexperienced in battle, Lieutenant Fortuna elected to lead the assault party. Displaying great intrepidity and heroic leadership, he led his men from building to building, repeatedly exposing himself, purposely drawing enemy fire to ascertain their positions. During this assault six machine guns were silenced, ten prisoners were captured and many of the enemy were killed or wounded. After the main street of the town had been cleared of organized enemy resistance, Lieutenant Fortuna worked his way back to his unit through sporadic enemy sniping to lead the forward elements of his battalion through the town and on toward their objective. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Fortuna reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered service from New York.
Footnote on page 570 of Martin Blumenson's official "US Army in World War II" volume "Breakout and Pursuit":
"Col. Wellborn B. Griffith, Jr., the XX Corps G-3 who was killed at Chartres [WJ: He was actually killed at Lèves, north of Chartres. A plaque now marks the place where he died.], and 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, who led an assault party in the capture of a nearby village [WJ: Lèves, which is near Chartres], were awarded the DSC."
Mario J. Fortuna's interview in hospital (obtained from the National Archives), after he was wounded on 7 September 1944 at Gravelotte, France. I have left the mis-spelling of Lèves unchanged in this text:
"Our unit [WJ: C/38] landed on Utah Beach about 11 August. There is little for me to relate until we got to Chartres. On the attack on Chartres, the 38th was to go to the left [WJ: north] flank, left of St. Prest, and attack from the rear. The 23rd was to hit the center, and the 48th on the right. There was a small town, Levees, I think, between St. Prest and Chartres. There was an airfield at the rear [WJ: northeast] of Chartres.
"Our Battalion went to the left of Chartres, but to the right [WJ: south] of St. Prest and got stopped at Levees. I think we were lost. I was sent with one platoon to clear the town. There was another platoon on my right. I got to town in spite of heavy small arms and machine gun fire. We started cleaning the place out, going from house to house. Soon, however, I had only a few men left and asked for help. One assault gun, a 75mm. on an armored mount [WJ: of the Assault Gun Platoon of Headquarters Company of 38 AIB, commanded by then-1st Lt. Carl K. Mattocks] came, and we knocked out at least three machine gun positions. That night, I got to some high ground between Levees and Chartres and took over the remnants of HQ. Co. , A and C Co's.
"Next morning we were ordered to go back to the Bn. through Levees and St. Prest, but I took them cross country, because I knew there was plenty of trouble in the towns.
LT COL Fortuna, Mario J
Service number: Not available
Age: 69
Born: 3 Jul 1914, New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
Hometown: Queens, New Yok, USA
Family:
Joseph Fortuna (father)
Tillie H Fortuna (mother)
Angela Fortuna (sister)
Salvatore Fortuna (brother)
Mary (nee Rigolizio) Fortuna (wife)
(two sons)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Function: Company Commander
Battalion: 38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Division: 7th Armored Division
Company: C
Date of death: 1 Dec 1983
Place of death: New York, New York County, New York, USA
Awards / Commendations
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Purple Heart
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Combat Infantryman Badge
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Grave number: DSS - 79
Cemetery: Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA
Other information:
In 1950 he was a Police Officer in New York City.
The following is taken via 7th Armored Division web site.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on August 16, 1944.
Ninth U. S. Army General Order No. 48, 23 November 1944.
for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 16 August 1944, in an attack near Leves, France, Lieutenant Fortuna was given the mission of clearing the town of enemy resistance. Having avaiable only men inexperienced in battle, Lieutenant Fortuna elected to lead the assault party. Displaying great intrepidity and heroic leadership, he led his men from building to building, repeatedly exposing himself, purposely drawing enemy fire to ascertain their positions. During this assault six machine guns were silenced, ten prisoners were captured and many of the enemy were killed or wounded. After the main street of the town had been cleared of organized enemy resistance, Lieutenant Fortuna worked his way back to his unit through sporadic enemy sniping to lead the forward elements of his battalion through the town and on toward their objective. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Fortuna reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered service from New York.
Footnote on page 570 of Martin Blumenson's official "US Army in World War II" volume "Breakout and Pursuit":
"Col. Wellborn B. Griffith, Jr., the XX Corps G-3 who was killed at Chartres [WJ: He was actually killed at Lèves, north of Chartres. A plaque now marks the place where he died.], and 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, who led an assault party in the capture of a nearby village [WJ: Lèves, which is near Chartres], were awarded the DSC."
Mario J. Fortuna's interview in hospital (obtained from the National Archives), after he was wounded on 7 September 1944 at Gravelotte, France. I have left the mis-spelling of Lèves unchanged in this text:
"Our unit [WJ: C/38] landed on Utah Beach about 11 August. There is little for me to relate until we got to Chartres. On the attack on Chartres, the 38th was to go to the left [WJ: north] flank, left of St. Prest, and attack from the rear. The 23rd was to hit the center, and the 48th on the right. There was a small town, Levees, I think, between St. Prest and Chartres. There was an airfield at the rear [WJ: northeast] of Chartres.
"Our Battalion went to the left of Chartres, but to the right [WJ: south] of St. Prest and got stopped at Levees. I think we were lost. I was sent with one platoon to clear the town. There was another platoon on my right. I got to town in spite of heavy small arms and machine gun fire. We started cleaning the place out, going from house to house. Soon, however, I had only a few men left and asked for help. One assault gun, a 75mm. on an armored mount [WJ: of the Assault Gun Platoon of Headquarters Company of 38 AIB, commanded by then-1st Lt. Carl K. Mattocks] came, and we knocked out at least three machine gun positions. That night, I got to some high ground between Levees and Chartres and took over the remnants of HQ. Co. , A and C Co's.
"Next morning we were ordered to go back to the Bn. through Levees and St. Prest, but I took them cross country, because I knew there was plenty of trouble in the towns.
LT COL Fortuna, Mario J
Service number: Not available
Age: 69
Born: 3 Jul 1914, New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
Hometown: Queens, New Yok, USA
Family:
Joseph Fortuna (father)
Tillie H Fortuna (mother)
Angela Fortuna (sister)
Salvatore Fortuna (brother)
Mary (nee Rigolizio) Fortuna (wife)
(two sons)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Function: Company Commander
Battalion: 38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Division: 7th Armored Division
Company: C
Date of death: 1 Dec 1983
Place of death: New York, New York County, New York, USA
Awards / Commendations
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Purple Heart
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Combat Infantryman Badge
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Grave number: DSS - 79
Cemetery: Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA
Other information:
In 1950 he was a Police Officer in New York City.
At the time, 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna was assigned as Executive Officer 1st Platoon Leader, Company C, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division.
The following is taken via 7th Armored Division web site.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on August 16, 1944.
Ninth U. S. Army General Order No. 48, 23 November 1944.
for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 16 August 1944, in an attack near Leves, France, Lieutenant Fortuna was given the mission of clearing the town of enemy resistance. Having avaiable only men inexperienced in battle, Lieutenant Fortuna elected to lead the assault party. Displaying great intrepidity and heroic leadership, he led his men from building to building, repeatedly exposing himself, purposely drawing enemy fire to ascertain their positions. During this assault six machine guns were silenced, ten prisoners were captured and many of the enemy were killed or wounded. After the main street of the town had been cleared of organized enemy resistance, Lieutenant Fortuna worked his way back to his unit through sporadic enemy sniping to lead the forward elements of his battalion through the town and on toward their objective. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Fortuna reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered service from New York.
Footnote on page 570 of Martin Blumenson's official "US Army in World War II" volume "Breakout and Pursuit":
"Col. Wellborn B. Griffith, Jr., the XX Corps G-3 who was killed at Chartres [WJ: He was actually killed at Lèves, north of Chartres. A plaque now marks the place where he died.], and 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, who led an assault party in the capture of a nearby village [WJ: Lèves, which is near Chartres], were awarded the DSC."
Mario J. Fortuna's interview in hospital (obtained from the National Archives), after he was wounded on 7 September 1944 at Gravelotte, France. I have left the mis-spelling of Lèves unchanged in this text:
"Our unit [WJ: C/38] landed on Utah Beach about 11 August. There is little for me to relate until we got to Chartres. On the attack on Chartres, the 38th was to go to the left [WJ: north] flank, left of St. Prest, and attack from the rear. The 23rd was to hit the center, and the 48th on the right. There was a small town, Levees, I think, between St. Prest and Chartres. There was an airfield at the rear [WJ: northeast] of Chartres.
"Our Battalion went to the left of Chartres, but to the right [WJ: south] of St. Prest and got stopped at Levees. I think we were lost. I was sent with one platoon to clear the town. There was another platoon on my right. I got to town in spite of heavy small arms and machine gun fire. We started cleaning the place out, going from house to house. Soon, however, I had only a few men left and asked for help. One assault gun, a 75mm. on an armored mount [WJ: of the Assault Gun Platoon of Headquarters Company of 38 AIB, commanded by then-1st Lt. Carl K. Mattocks] came, and we knocked out at least three machine gun positions. That night, I got to some high ground between Levees and Chartres and took over the remnants of HQ. Co. , A and C Co's.
"Next morning we were ordered to go back to the Bn. through Levees and St. Prest, but I took them cross country, because I knew there was plenty of trouble in the towns.
LT COL Fortuna, Mario J
Service number: Not available
Age: 69
Born: 3 Jul 1914, New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
Hometown: Queens, New Yok, USA
Family:
Joseph Fortuna (father)
Tillie H Fortuna (mother)
Angela Fortuna (sister)
Salvatore Fortuna (brother)
Mary (nee Rigolizio) Fortuna (wife)
(two sons)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Function: Company Commander
Battalion: 38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Division: 7th Armored Division
Company: C
Date of death: 1 Dec 1983
Place of death: New York, New York County, New York, USA
Awards / Commendations
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Purple Heart
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Combat Infantryman Badge
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Grave number: DSS - 79
Cemetery: Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA
Other information:
In 1950 he was a Police Officer in New York City.
The following is taken via 7th Armored Division web site.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on August 16, 1944.
Ninth U. S. Army General Order No. 48, 23 November 1944.
for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 16 August 1944, in an attack near Leves, France, Lieutenant Fortuna was given the mission of clearing the town of enemy resistance. Having avaiable only men inexperienced in battle, Lieutenant Fortuna elected to lead the assault party. Displaying great intrepidity and heroic leadership, he led his men from building to building, repeatedly exposing himself, purposely drawing enemy fire to ascertain their positions. During this assault six machine guns were silenced, ten prisoners were captured and many of the enemy were killed or wounded. After the main street of the town had been cleared of organized enemy resistance, Lieutenant Fortuna worked his way back to his unit through sporadic enemy sniping to lead the forward elements of his battalion through the town and on toward their objective. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Fortuna reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered service from New York.
Footnote on page 570 of Martin Blumenson's official "US Army in World War II" volume "Breakout and Pursuit":
"Col. Wellborn B. Griffith, Jr., the XX Corps G-3 who was killed at Chartres [WJ: He was actually killed at Lèves, north of Chartres. A plaque now marks the place where he died.], and 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, who led an assault party in the capture of a nearby village [WJ: Lèves, which is near Chartres], were awarded the DSC."
Mario J. Fortuna's interview in hospital (obtained from the National Archives), after he was wounded on 7 September 1944 at Gravelotte, France. I have left the mis-spelling of Lèves unchanged in this text:
"Our unit [WJ: C/38] landed on Utah Beach about 11 August. There is little for me to relate until we got to Chartres. On the attack on Chartres, the 38th was to go to the left [WJ: north] flank, left of St. Prest, and attack from the rear. The 23rd was to hit the center, and the 48th on the right. There was a small town, Levees, I think, between St. Prest and Chartres. There was an airfield at the rear [WJ: northeast] of Chartres.
"Our Battalion went to the left of Chartres, but to the right [WJ: south] of St. Prest and got stopped at Levees. I think we were lost. I was sent with one platoon to clear the town. There was another platoon on my right. I got to town in spite of heavy small arms and machine gun fire. We started cleaning the place out, going from house to house. Soon, however, I had only a few men left and asked for help. One assault gun, a 75mm. on an armored mount [WJ: of the Assault Gun Platoon of Headquarters Company of 38 AIB, commanded by then-1st Lt. Carl K. Mattocks] came, and we knocked out at least three machine gun positions. That night, I got to some high ground between Levees and Chartres and took over the remnants of HQ. Co. , A and C Co's.
"Next morning we were ordered to go back to the Bn. through Levees and St. Prest, but I took them cross country, because I knew there was plenty of trouble in the towns.
LT COL Fortuna, Mario J
Service number: Not available
Age: 69
Born: 3 Jul 1914, New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA
Hometown: Queens, New Yok, USA
Family:
Joseph Fortuna (father)
Tillie H Fortuna (mother)
Angela Fortuna (sister)
Salvatore Fortuna (brother)
Mary (nee Rigolizio) Fortuna (wife)
(two sons)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Function: Company Commander
Battalion: 38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Division: 7th Armored Division
Company: C
Date of death: 1 Dec 1983
Place of death: New York, New York County, New York, USA
Awards / Commendations
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Purple Heart
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Combat Infantryman Badge
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Grave number: DSS - 79
Cemetery: Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA
Other information:
In 1950 he was a Police Officer in New York City.
Inscription
LT COL
US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
