After nearly 80 years, the remains of an American soldier who lost his life in World War II have finally been identified and returned to his home in New York.
On October 1, 1944, U.S. Army Pfc. Bartholomew Loschiavo, a brave soldier from Buffalo, lost his life in combat. He made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting against German troops near Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.
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“He had a strong desire to serve. It was a goal he was passionate about, and we take great pride in his commitment. And he did fulfill that aspiration,” said Donald Loschiavo, his great-nephew, in an interview with CBS affiliate WIVB-TV.
In April 1945, the remains of the soldier were discovered by local residents in Grevenmacher. They respectfully buried him in the village cemetery. However, a year later, the American Graves Registration Command intervened and recovered his remains. They then transferred him to the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where he has been laid to rest in an anonymous grave for over 75 years.
Donald Loschiago expressed his deep concern about the 5,000 men buried in the cemetery, including Bart. He emphasized that there are still 96 individuals who remain unidentified. In an interview with WIVB-TV, Donald shared his hope that others would take the same initiative to locate their own family members and bring them back home.
In 2020, the Loschiavo family reached out to DPAA to inquire if it was possible to identify the remains and determine if they belonged to their relative. After an extensive period of time, the U.S. Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission informed the Loschiavo family that the DNA analysis confirmed a positive match with the remains.
According to a report by WIVB-TV, the remains of Bartholomew Loschiavo were returned home on May 27, just days before what would have been his 104th birthday.
“We are incredibly proud of him and his contributions to this country,” expressed David Loschiavo, the great-nephew of the individual in question, during an interview with WIVB-TV. “Ultimately, that’s what truly matters.”
Pfc. Loschiavo’s name has been inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. A rosette will be added next to his name to signify that he has been identified. His burial ceremony was held in Buffalo on Saturday.
“It’s heartbreaking that his brothers and sisters were never given the opportunity to uncover the truth,” expressed Donald Loschiavo with a sense of closure and sadness.
