My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
WWII Army Veteran PFC Vito R. Bertoldo, Age 49 of Decatur, IL.
Died Jul. 23, 1966
Bertoldo was born and raised in Decatur, IL. and worked as a coal miner and truck driver.
Though he was exempt from the World War II draft because of poor eyesight, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, and was approved for limited duty in the US as a military policeman.
He then obtained approval to undergo training as an infantryman, and deployed to France with the 42nd infantry Division. During Germany’s Operation Nordwind offensive of December 1944-January 1945, Bertoldo was one of the soldiers assigned to guard the command post for 1st Battalion, 242nd infantry Regiment. When the battalion staff moved to an alternate location while expecting a German attack, Bertoldo volunteered to cover them and defend the command post. On Jan. 9 and 10, 1945, he single-handedly fought of German assaults on the command post, and then continued the fight by taking part in the defense of the battalion’s alternate command post. After the war, he received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during this action.
Following his military service, Bertoldo moved to California and worked as a contact representative for the US veterans Adminstration before becoming the owner and operator of a successful landscaping business. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1966 and died at the VA hospital in Martinez, CA. Bertoldo was buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA.
We had an amazing day. We walked 3.56 Miles and then got aboard a semi and we were on the road for 216.0 Miles. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. I want to thank my son-n-law Richard for helping us honor this hero on a last ride.
WWII Army Veteran PFC Vito R. Bertoldo will not be forgotten !
