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Saving Private Grasso


Anthony Grasso, a 96 year old WWII veteran, would like to make the journey from his home in Norwood, MA, to South Carolina to give a final salute to Frank DuBose, the Army Lieutenant who saved his life.

On the morning of November 2, 1944, Army Private Anthony Grasso and Lt Frank DuBose, were ordered to scout out German positions as the Americans prepared to launch an attack. But the Wehrmacht - the German Army - was well hidden in the dark shadows of the Hurtgen Forest where the battle was about to begin. To get a better glimpse of the enemy, Grasso and DuBose had little choice but to run out into an open field amidst heavy shelling. They spotted the Germans. “Hand me the telephone,” DuBose said to Grasso. Just then a shell exploded nearby. The force of the blast threw Grasso 30 feet in the air wounding him in the head, while DuBose died instantly.

The reason Grasso survived was DuBose. “He stood between me and the blast, taking the brunt of the shrapnel,” Grasso said. 

In a true-life version of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, Grasso wants to give the man who saved his life a final salute at the historic Quaker Cemetery where Lt DuBose lies buried in Camden, SC. 

A band of New Englanders who learned of Private Grasso’s story from a newly released book, “All Souls Day: By Joseph Pereira of Quincy and John Wilson who want to make Grasso's wish a reality.  The World War II Battle and the Search for the Lost Battalion,” want to make Grasso’s wishes a reality. 

With the aid of the Veterans Affairs Office, along with local police departments, Private Grasso will be given a ceremonial send off from Logan Airport in Boston on May 27th to make that wish come true.  

Time is not on the side of our WWII veterans. Of the 16 million who fought in that war, less than 300,000 are alive today. Grasso, who had just turned 20 at the time of the Battle in Hurtgen Forest, is 96 years old. 

On behalf of his family we are so proud of this amazing man and all of his accomplishments.  He is a hero to so many of us including his daughters, grandchildren, great- grand children, sister, brother, cousins, and extended family.  Anthony is filled with so much love, determination, and livelihood.  It It wasn't until recently-after the book authors approached him that he has decided to speak about his experience in the war, and how it has affected him.  With your help, we can fulfill his wishes. Donations will be used to cover the travel expenses of Private Anthony Grasso, for his immediate family and caregiver.  Leftover money will  be donated to veterans services.  

We would also like to thank Uncle Sam Rounseville and Gayle Bellotti, and all the others who have helped Anthony get this close to his making his wish come true!

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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $10 
    • 3 yrs
  • james i kim
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Julie McDonough
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Uncle Sam Rounseville Gayle Bellotti
Organizer
Quincy, MA
Donna Dunn
Beneficiary

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