Biography: Frank Rosa Gularte was born on January 3, 1915, in Los Osos, California. He was the son of Jose da Rosa Gularte and Clara da Conceicao da Silveira Pinheiro, immigrants from Azores, Portugal. By 1930, the family was living in Arroyo Grande, CA. His enlistment record indicates he completed one year of high school. The 1940 U.S. Census shows he was working as a farmer. Prior to his induction, Frank was employed by E. C. Loomis & Son, a local feed store.
Service Time: Frank entered the Army on July 14, 1941, at San Francisco, CA. At some point, he was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division (ID). On December 15, 1941, the 7th ID Provisional Antitank Battalion was activated and designated the 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion. On that date, Private Gularte was transferred from Battery D, 31st Field Artillery Battalion to Company A, 607th TD Bn. On January 21st, he was assigned to Company C. He trained with the unit at a number of locations including: Camp San Luis Obispo, Hunter Liggett Military Reservation, Camp Cooke and the Desert Training Center, all in California, along with Camp Hood, Texas.
On December 2, 1943, Frank married the former Selestina L. Silveria, ‘Sally’, in Reno, Nevada. She was born in Arroyo Grande and was the daughter of Joseph F. Silveira Sr. and Anna E. Soito. In 1944, they had a son, Frank R. Jr.
Arriving at Liverpool, England, on April 21, 1944, they continued training. Company C landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, France, on June 23rd and supported the advance on Cherbourg, fighting along the Seves River in July. They joined the drive to Le Mans and envelopment of the Falaise Pocket in August. Advancing to the Moselle River in September, they supported operations against Metz through November. The unit converted to a self-propelled battalion equipped with M36 tank destroyers (TD’s) in time for the final assault on Metz.
On November 28, 1944, four TD’s from 3rd Platoon, Company C (last reported position of the platoon was about 1500 yards west of Merten), were to assist the 3rd Battalion, 378th Infantry (95th ID), in an attack against the town. Both units were to meet at a roadblock at the west edge of town. Unbeknownst to the TD personnel, the infantry met more resistance than expected and had not reached the roadblock, or cleared any enemy anti-tank guns in the vicinity. Two of the TD’s were hit by enemy anti-tank fire as they were approaching the town. Two men were reported as KIA (Killed in Action) and three men reported as MIA (Missing in Action), later updated to KIA. It is believed that Frank was killed in this incident.
Frank was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. We would like to thank him for making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Thank you also to Frank’s nephew, Gary Silveira, for providing the photos used in this tribute.