World War II Honoree

Armando J. Frulla

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ridgefield, Connecticut

Honored By

Andrew J. Buzzi, Jr. & Elizabeth Ann Buzzi

Relationship

Great Nephew and Niece

CALLED FOR ACTIVE DUTY ON SEPTEMBER 10, 1942 AND ASSIGNED TO THE MEDICAL CORPS AT CAMP BARKELEY, TEXAS. WHILE AT A CALIFORNIA CAMP WAITING FOR DEPLOYMENT, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR PARACHUTE TRAINING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA AND WAS QUALIFIED ON JANUARY 8, 1944. IN APRIL 1944 HE WAS SENT TO ENGLAND, JOINING THE 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION. ON JUNE 6, 1944 HE PARACHUTED INTO NORMANDY, FRANCE WITH A MISSION TO SEIZE THE LA BARQUETTE LOCKS AND TO CAPTURE THE FOUR HIGHWAY BRIDGES LEADING TO CARENTAN. IN SUPPORT OF THE 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION, HE JOINED COMPANY B, 502ND PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, PARACHUTING ON SEPTEMBER 19, 1944 INTO HOLLAND WITH THE MISSION TO CAPTURE AND HOLD THE BRIDGES OVER THE DOMMEL RIVER IN THE TOWN OF ST. OEDENRODE. ON DECEMBER 18, 1944 HIS REGIMENT WAS RUSHED TO BASTOGNE, BELGIUM TO STALL THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE). HE WAS HOUSED AT CHATEAU ROLLE, A CASTLE, WHICH WAS ATTACKED BY 6 GERMAN TANKS ON CHRISTMAS DAY; HIS REGIMENT DESTROYED AND ELIMINATED ALL THE INFANTRY. AFTER 26 DAYS OF ENCIRCLEMENT, THE REGIMENT PREPARED TO ATTACK THE TOWN OF BOURCY. ON JANUARY 13, 1945, THE ATTACK BEGAN BY CLEARING THE EASTERN SECTOR OF LE BOISE DE JACQUES (JACKS WOODS). HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THESE WOODS AND BURIED IN A TEMPORARY CEMETERY IN GRAND-FAILLY, FRANCE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 1948 HIS BODY WAS PUT ABOARD THE SS CARROLL VICTORY SHIP AND RETURNED TO RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ARROWHEAD AND 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PARACHUTIST BADGE, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE AND NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD.