World War II Honoree

Salvatore John 'Sam' Cosentino

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York City, New York

Honored By

Linda Andrews

Relationship

Niece

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, SERVED IN THE RECONNAISSANCE PLATOON OF THE 747TH TANK BATTALION, ATTACHED TO THE 116TH INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION. ON JUNE 6TH, 1944, THE 116TH LANDED ON OMAHA BEACH, AND SUFFERED 60% CASUALTIES. THE NEXT MORNING, THE 747TH LANDED AND FOUGHT WITH THE REGIMENT CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE END OF WWII. ON AUGUST 2ND, 1944, HE WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH KNEES AND THE RIGHT HAND BY GERMAN SHRAPNEL. ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS IN JUNE 1994, HE WAS AWARDED THE JUBILEE OF LIBERTY MEDAL BY FRANCE, AND IN DECEMBER 2003, THE NEW YORK CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS BY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK.