Vito Peter LaGioia
Private Vito P. “Veetz” LaGioia was a Marine aviator who flew with VMSB-132.
He was reported missing in action in the Solomon Islands, 2 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 380701
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 3, 1919
at Chicago, IL
Parents
Pietro “Peter” LaGioia
Anna P. LaGioia
Education
Crane Technical High School (1938)
Occupation & Employer
Conduit Division
Commonwealth Edison Company
Service Life
Entered Service
March 9, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
3251 West Congress Street
Chicago, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Anna LaGioia
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman / gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-132
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Vito LaGioia was a radioman/gunner assigned to VMSB-132. His squadron arrived at Henderson Field on 30 October 1942, and immediately began combat operations in the skies of the Solomon Islands.
On 2 November 1942, a strike was organized to attack a fleet of Japanese warships approaching Guadalcanal. LaGioia and his pilot, 2Lt. Melvin R. Nawman, were among the Marines who volunteered for the mission. Three SBD Dauntless bombers departed Henderson Field at 1800 hours – and none returned. Nawman and LaGioia were reported as missing in action.
The wreckage of Lieutenant Nawman’s SBD-3 (Bureau Number 03210) was located in 1943; the lieutenant’s remains were buried nearby, and later repatriated to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. No trace of Private LaGioia was found, and on 3 November 1943, he was declared dead.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Aircraft lost on volunteer strike mission
SBD-3 Bureau Number 03329 – VS-71
Lieutenant Commander John Eldridge, Jr.
ARM3c George Yanick
This aircraft was seen to crash into the sea off Santa Isabel Island at 2300 hours on 2 November 1942. Villagers located the wreck and the bodies of the crew; they were only able to retrieve ARM3c Yanick, whom they buried near Tannibuli Bay.
George Yanick is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Fairmount, West Virginia.
John Eldridge has not been recovered or identified.
SBD-3 Bureau Number 06523 – VMSB-132
Second Lieutenant Wayne Roy Gentry
Corporal Gerhart Wilhelm
This aircraft was found wrecked on Guadalcanal in 1942. Remains of the crew were buried by natives and retrieved by American forces after the war.
Wayne Gentry is buried in Twin Falls Cemetery, Twin Falls, Idaho.
Gerhart Wilhelm is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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SBD-3 Bureau Number 03210 – VMSB-132
Second Lieutenant Melvin Rollie Nawman
Private Vito Peter LaGioia
This aircraft was found wrecked on Santa Isabel Island in April, 1943. The remains of the pilot were recovered after the war.
Melvin Nawman is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Vito LaGioia has not been recovered or identified.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Anna LaGioia.
Location Of Loss
The wreck of Private LaGioia’s aircraft was found on Santa Isabel Island, 1943.
