World War II Honoree

Joseph M. Cotazino, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Albany, New York

Honored By

Michael Lynett

HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE 10TH ARMORED DIVISION, 3RD ARMY ON OCTOBER 9, 1944. IN FEBRUARY 1945, HE WAS DEPLOYED ON THE U.S. TROOP CARRIER AQUITANIA TO LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. HE TOOK HIS FIRST AND ONLY PLANE RIDE FROM ENGLAND TO THE EUROPE MAINLAND AND WENT BY CONVOY TO TRIESTE, ITALY, WHERE HE JOINED ONE OF GENERAL GEORGE PATTON'S TANK CREWS, FIGHTING FROM TRIESTE TO GERMANY TO JOIN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE FROM FEBRUARY 1945 UNTIL THE WAR IN EUROPE ENDED IN MAY 1945. IN SEPTEMBER 1945, HE RETURNED TO THE U.S. AND ON JULY 31, 1946, HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE U.S. ARMY. HE WAS DECORATED WITH THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.