Dublin Core
Title
Eino Wattu Military Service Portrait
Description
Eino O. Wattu
S/Sgt United States Army
350th Infantry
88th Division
Born: Dec 17, 1920
Died: Apr 17, 1945
In October 1943, Eino was at home on Tremont Street, on furlough from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, visiting friends and relatives.
During July 1944, somewhere in Italy, Eino met his brother PFC Adolph, whom he hadn't seen in two years. They were able to reminisce for a day and night.
The 88th was operating near Bologna, and had seized Furcoli before attacking Mount Monterumici. On April 15th at 2300, Company L moved out to attack the ridge, and over the next two days sustained heavy casualties. Three companies were wiped out to the last man. Of the original L Company that trained in Texas, according to the Company ‘mailman', only six survived the war. They took Mount Monterumici summit on April 17th.
From letter from Hardol Enger, Bothell, Washington: Eino died in the arms of his close friend S/Sgt Henry Lahti, of a massive head wound from shrapnel. Henry grieved so for his friend that he was pulled from the line due to battle fatigue. Eino and Henry had a favorite song, "Will the Circle be Unbroken’'. They often sang it together. They were called the ‘'two Finnsâ€.
(I spoke to Henry's widow in New York, and she told me that they had made a number of trips to Maynard, visiting Eino’s grave and his family.)
The portrait is on display in the Maynard Veterans' Wall of Honor in the Soup Campbell Room, Lower Level of Maynard Town Hall.
S/Sgt United States Army
350th Infantry
88th Division
Born: Dec 17, 1920
Died: Apr 17, 1945
In October 1943, Eino was at home on Tremont Street, on furlough from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, visiting friends and relatives.
During July 1944, somewhere in Italy, Eino met his brother PFC Adolph, whom he hadn't seen in two years. They were able to reminisce for a day and night.
The 88th was operating near Bologna, and had seized Furcoli before attacking Mount Monterumici. On April 15th at 2300, Company L moved out to attack the ridge, and over the next two days sustained heavy casualties. Three companies were wiped out to the last man. Of the original L Company that trained in Texas, according to the Company ‘mailman', only six survived the war. They took Mount Monterumici summit on April 17th.
From letter from Hardol Enger, Bothell, Washington: Eino died in the arms of his close friend S/Sgt Henry Lahti, of a massive head wound from shrapnel. Henry grieved so for his friend that he was pulled from the line due to battle fatigue. Eino and Henry had a favorite song, "Will the Circle be Unbroken’'. They often sang it together. They were called the ‘'two Finnsâ€.
(I spoke to Henry's widow in New York, and she told me that they had made a number of trips to Maynard, visiting Eino’s grave and his family.)
The portrait is on display in the Maynard Veterans' Wall of Honor in the Soup Campbell Room, Lower Level of Maynard Town Hall.
Identifier
2020.84
Relation
Description researched and provided by Andrew Mitzcavitch
See 2019.155
See 2019.155
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Framed Photo 8x10
Physical Dimensions
8 x 10 inches
Storage
Digital