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DiDavid, Patsy J
Patsy Joseph DiDavid was born on May 17, 1917 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. His Father worked at Lukens Stee. Patsy was one of six children.
Patsy left school early to obtain employment at Lukens Steel to help with family expenses. Later, he married Rachel Mariana.
Patsy was well known for his pleasant personality and he loved to laugh. His sister Gloria remembers “in the movie house he would sit in the balcony and you heard him laugh so hard. Everyone knew who it was.”
Patsy was drafted into the Army and entered service on July 17, 1944. He received basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida and advanced training at Camp George Meade, Maryland.
He returned home to visit his wife and family and returned to duty on December 17, 1944. Before embarking from New York, he telephoned his wife to say goodbye – it would be the last time they spoke.
Patsy was sent to France as a replacement to the 16th Regiment “Blue Spaders” of the 1st Infantry Division. As Patsy's division was pushing into Germany across the Rhine river, 24 German divisions (10 of which were armored) staged a massive counterattack known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The Division engaged in heavy fighting, moving back to regroup. Private Patsy DiDavid was Killed In Action in Belgium on January 18th, 1945. His wife, Rae, received the tragic telegram on February 7th.
A memorial service was held at the Holy Rosary Church, with burial with full military honors at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery.
His brother Nicholas served in the Army, and his brother Horace served in the Navy.
He returned home to visit his wife and family and returned to duty on December 17, 1944. Before embarking from New York, he telephoned his wife to say goodbye – it would be the last time they spoke.
Patsy was sent to France as a replacement to the 16th Regiment “Blue Spaders” of the 1st Infantry Division. As Patsy's division was pushing into Germany across the Rhine river, 24 German divisions (10 of which were armored) staged a massive counterattack known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The Division engaged in heavy fighting, moving back to regroup. Private Patsy DiDavid was Killed In Action in Belgium on January 18th, 1945. His wife, Rae, received the tragic telegram on February 7th.
A memorial service was held at the Holy Rosary Church, with burial with full military honors at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery.
His brother Nicholas served in the Army, and his brother Horace served in the Navy.
Credits
Information provided by Norman T. Bernard, First Cousin to Patsy DiDavid