Angelo Michael Vellucci
Private Angelo M. Vellucci served with Able Company, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 846291
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 15, 1924
at Salem, OH
Parents
Sisto & Carmella Vellucci
Education
Through 9th Grade
(left 1940)
Occupation & Employer
Truck Driver
Winslow Nurseries
Service Life
Entered Service
March 19, 1943
at Boston, MA
Home Of Record
60 Central Avenue
Needham, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Carmela Vellucci
Military Specialty
9951
Amph Tractor Mechanic
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Vellucci served as an amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, a new LVT-2 “Buffalo” model, carried troops of 2/2nd Marines from the USS Zeilin to land on Beach Red 2.
The slow-moving, lightly-armored LVT units suffered tremendous losses during the landings – both in vehicles and men. Private Vellucci was one of the casualties; he was reported missing in action after the battle, and later declared dead as of 20 November 1943.
Investigative work by Jim Hildebrand of Tarawa1943 suggests that Private Vellucci was the crew chief of an LVT-2 that struck a mine off of Green Beach. This vehicle was delivering ammunition to troops of the 6th Marines on the night of 21 November 1943, and may have been crewed by Belter, Corporal Milton M. Beck, and PFC Clarence B. Belter.
For more information, read Hildebrand’s article “The Green Beach LVT Mystery.”
Burial Information or Disposition
Burial information not known – remains not recovered. If Vellucci was in fact killed in action near Green Beach, he may have been buried in the field by a shore party from the USS Ormsby.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 5, Row 1, Plot 11.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Carmela Vellucci
Location Of Loss
Private Vellucci was last seen during landing operations against Beach Red 2.
