DOB/DOD: July 28, 1919 (New Haven, CT) – March 1, 1945; 25 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 97 Woolsey Street, New Haven
ENLISTMENT: March 18, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 359480
UNIT: Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0595, Field Wire Chief
FAMILY: Born to Enrico (1880-1951) and Saveria D’Auria LaTorraca (1887-1936), both born in Italy. The youngest of 4 children. Siblings are Concetta (1906-1987), Rosa (1907-1992), and Nellie (1909-1983). He was the only child born in the United States. The other siblings were all born in Italy. 1, 2 Harry worked at Lones Inc., 61 Church Street, New Haven, before joining the Marines. 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Spring of 1942. Assigned to the 21st Marines (Reinforced), 3rd Battalion, Headquarters Company at New River, North Carolina in July 1942. Assigned to the Marine Barracks, Post Signal Battalion, Telephone Company at Quantico, Virginia in July 1942. Listed as a ‘switchboard operator’ on reassignment back to the 21st Marines (Reinforced) in January 1943. 5 Wounded in action on July 26, 1944, at Guam, Marianas Islands. 4 Died from gunshot wound to the abdomen. 4 Corporal David Winspur of Monroe, Connecticut, was in the same company as Sgt LaTorraca. They died 12 days apart
Hillhouse High School Class of ‘37 yearbook photos; contributed by Edward Surato, Whitney Library, New Haven Museum.
An undefeated season where they won the Connecticut championship and all of New England.
Initially buried in the 3rd Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Row 13, Grave 315. At his father’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Avenue, West Haven, Connecticut, St. Augustine Avenue, Section T, Lot 56 ½, Grave #3. 4Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1930 census https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/
2 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
3 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/
4 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/