Marion County Remembers

PFC Frank Albert Cosco (Monongah/Fairmont) August 21, 1919 - July 12, 1944 ---- PFC Frank Albert C osco (Service #35213852) was born  August 21, 1919 in Monongah, WV, the son of Calabrian immigrants Domenick and Mary Teresa (Mascara) Cosco. When Frank was born, his father was working as a coal miner in Monongah, and they lived at 148 Pike Street (1920 census). By 1930, the family had moved to 1209 Speedway Avenue. During their time there, Frank attended East Fairmont High School (enlistment records show that he attended for two years). Military Service: Frank registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. He was 5'6" and 175 lbs, with black hair, black eyes, and dark skin. At the time of registration, he was working for Owens Illinois Glass Company in the mold shop (1940 Census). 364 days later, Frank enlisted in the military in Huntington, WV.  PFC Frank Albert Cosco  was serving with the 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, Company C in the Northern Marianas ...

Remembering PFC Salvatore "Sam" Oliverio (Monongah)    June 23, 1925 - May 13, 1945 --- PFC Salvatore "Sam" Oliverio was born June 23, 1925 in Chiefton, WV (near Worthington), the son of Giovanni "John" and Costanza (Iaquinta) Oliverio. Both of Sam's parents were born in San Giovanni in Fiore, immigrating around 1909 (John) and 1913 (Costanza) for John to work in the coal mine. Sam attended Monongah High School for three years (1941-1943) before leaving school to join the military. Sam listed "Student-Monongah High" as his occupation when he completed his draft registration on June 23, 1943-- his 18th birthday. He listed himself as 5'6" and 140 lbs with brown hair, brown eyes, and dark skin. Sam enlisted on August 28, 1943 in Clarksburg, WV. He served in the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. The U.S. Army Center of Military History records : "On 8 January 1945, the Division began movement to Leyte and Samar, to take pa...

Seaman Second Class Anthony Hoffman (Service #7563169) was born November 8, 1926 in Monongah, WV to John and Mary (Urban) Hoffman, both born in Poland. The April 1930 Census lists him as 3 years and five months old, joined by three brothers: Henry (9), Edward (7), and Daniel (8 months). John had immigrated to the United States in 1908, and Mary immigrated in 1914. In 1930, John was working as a watchman at the railroad, and their address is listed as "Clarksburg Road." In 1940, the family was living in Thoburn (just outside of Monongah), while John worked as a coal loader in the mines and Henry and Edward worked as clerks. Anthony attended Monongah High School, with his freshman year being 1942. Anthony joined the U.S. Navy Reserves, and trained at TADCEN-- The U.S. Naval Training and Distribution Center in Shoemaker, California. On January 29, 1945, he joined the crew of the U.S.S. Franklin, where he remained until his death on March 19, 1945. U.S.S. Franklin: "Afire an...