About
World War II (1939-1945)
Matteo Tascillo was born in Schenectady, New York, on November 29, 1921. He grew up in the city of Schenectady and graduated from vocational high school. Before entering the military, he worked for General Electric.
On December 15, 1942, Matteo enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed his training in Newport, Rhode Island, and was assigned to the USS Custer. On February 19, 1944, Matteo was in charge of a small boat positioned between a transport ship and the beaches during the invasion of Eniwetok. Despite being heavily under Japanese fire, he volunteered to take more men in his boat. However, the boat became stuck on a coral reef fifty yards from the shore and could not be freed. When Matteo stood up to assess the situation, he was struck and killed by enemy fire. He is buried in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Schenectady, New York.
*Coxswain
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry