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Gillotti, Ralph S. (692nd)

Photo-Not-Available-ImageRalph S. Gillotti
 
Biography:  Ralph Stanley Gillotti was born on September 7, 1923, in Danbury, Connecticut.  He is the son of Ralph Joseph Gilloti and Anna Paska and attended Morris Street Elementary and Main Street Junior High in Danbury.  Ralph left school after the seventh grade to help support his family.  He got a job at the Hops & Bocks Cuttlery Company as a silver-plater and punch-press operator.  He also did farm work.
 
Service Time:  Ralph entered the service on Jan. 20, 1943.  He was actually sent home for a week to get his things in order before heading to Ft. Dix, New ersey.  He spent about a month there before heading to Camp Hood, Texas, for basic training.  Ralph was assigned to the Reconnaissance Company of the the 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion but was reassigned to C Company after receiving demolition training.  He trained at both North & South Camp Hood, TX, and then at Camp Phillips, Kansas.  He took part in the Tennessee Maneuvers and spent time at Camp Campbell, which straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border.  From there, they shipped overseas, arriving at Cherbourg, France, on September 23, 1944.  Ralph received the EAME Theater Medal w/3 campaign stars for the units participation in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe campaigns.  He also received the American Theater Service Medal, Victory Medal WWII and a Diplome from French Government for involvement in The Battle of the Bulge and a Certificate of Meritorious Service.  Ralph was discharged from the service at Camp Swift, TX in late fall of 1945.  At the time of his discharge he had reached the rank of Pfc (Private First Class).  

 

When Ralph returned to the United States, he went to work for the Sherwood Toy Company in Walden, New York.  He remained there for 17 years but also worked part-time as a mechanic.  In 1955, he got a maintenance job at the Cadet Barracks of West Point in NY.  He was in that position a few years until he moved into the Department of Engineers, also at West Point.  He retired from West Point after 30 years there.  On June 1, 1947, Ralph married the former Alice Bernard who was the daughter or Fred Bernard and Aida Edwards of Wallkill, NY.  Together they had three daughters born in 1948, 1950 and 1955.  They resided in Walden, NY and were married for 36 years.
 
On July 24, 1986, Ralph married the former Victoria “Vicki” Sarvis who was the daughter of Frederick Henry Sarvis and Jennie Irene Lawton of Milton, NY.  At the time this is being written, the couple has been married for 24-1/2 years.  In his spare time, Ralph enjoys fixing small engines and lawn mowers as well as tinkering and going to classic car shows.  He was a member of VFW Post # 2946 in Walden, NY until until 1989 when he transferred to VFW Post #8083 in Belleview, Florida.
 
I want to thank Ralph’s wife, Vicki, for supplying this information and want to wish both Ralph and Vicki long life and happiness.
 
Update:  We are sad to report that Ralph passed away in Florida on April 30, 2013.  He was buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida