Private Giavanni Bocchino entered into active duty July 17, 1942, and died in the service of his country in the Southwest Pacific area on the island of Leyte on Oct. 25, 1944.

Giavanni (John) was born on Dec. 3, 1923, to Anthony and Michelina Bocchino who had seven other sons and one daughter. They lived at 16 Lake Street, Belleville. At a very young age he married Mary Gammaro and moved with his wife and her family at 369 Lake Street where his daughter still lives.

John was survived by his wife, Mary, son Anthony, daughter Michelina. A son, John, was born Jan. 3, 1945, three months after his father died.

Giavanni was only 21 years old.

-- Hand-written note, courtesy the Bocchino family

(Dec. 14, 1944) -- Bocchino was inducted July 1942. He had been overseas with the Army engineers for three months.

Private Giavanni Bocchino, U.S. Army
32388536

170th Engineer Combat Battalion
Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: October 25, 1944

Buried at: Plot D Row 12 Grave 137
Manila American Cemetery
Fort William McKinley, Manila, Philippines

Awards: Purple Heart

Hometown: Essex County, NJ
Status: KIA

Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission

Belleville Times, Dec. 14, 1944

National World War II Memorial

Newark Evening News, Dec. 12, 1944, Feb. 6, 1945

Remembrance - George Sbarra, photo

U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949

Leyte Gulf

LEYTE GULF Summary of the Battle

Belleville Street Name In Honor of Sailor Killed In Action

JULY 15, 2017

GIAVANNI BOCCHINO WAY

Lake Street at Honiss Street

Belleville Sons Honor Roll

  A Place of Honor and Remembrance In the Home of the Brave

World War II