Just found out what happened to one of my comrades. Can you post on your site?
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P.F.C. Frank Collatto Co.E-345th-Regt-87th-Inf.Div. Hometown-Newark New Jersey
Frank was KIA, Dec. 17-1944, in the Saar Basin. During a very heavy shelling and machine gun fire. Frank bravely went forward to find the machine gun.That was the last we ever saw him again.
Frank was a very good soldier and a great comrade. He gave his life for his country and the people of europe to free them of bondage.
HE is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery- St. Avold (Moselle) France.
God Keep And Bless You Frank.
Comrade-Friend-Jim Hennessey
87th Infantry Division
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Bob:
Small world indeed,this was the day Frank wa killed. He ran in the direction of the machine gun blindly and heroically.
Fast Forward Xmas 2008 watching the internet,notice 87th site seeking info on Frank,could have fell out of the chair,after all the years seeing his name, not knowing what happened in the woods.
Few weeks later get a call from Florida it was Frank's sister. Top story off she knew my 2 Sisters and Brother in law Bob (Olcheski from working at RCA
Harrison NJ. I feel good knowing that I could fill in the info on Frank. Sent them 2 87th Acorn Patches.
Semper Fi
Jim
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Mr. Hennessey,
Thank you so much for talking to my mother and I, and for sending the web information. I have been very fascinated by it all. It adds so much to what I can teach the children of this generation in school!
It is amazing that after all these years my mother could find something out about her brother Frank. We thank you for letting us know what happened, it has weighed on my mother all those years! I have attached two pictures of her brother Frank and will send a few more when we can.
Thank you for your service to our country and for helping my mother to know something about her brother's time in the Army.
May God bless you,
Tina
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Marion (Angel)
Thank You for posting
this story.For years I always thought
about Frank and that terrible day
in the Saar Basin. Through your web
-site it brought me pecefull closure.
For I never intend to forget my WW2 comrades. God Bless Them All.
Your Comrade In Friendship
Jim Hennessey
87th-Inf.Div.
You are most welcome dear friend. I would do most anything for one of my vets. It is a small deed compared to all you've been through. ![]()
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company



