15 Dec 2020 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Acciarella Area, Italy! PFC Fred Gonsalves, Jr., New Bedford, Mass. after being in attack along the Mussolini Canal, takes a break in straw stack along with a small Italian child and farm dog." Acciarella, Italy. 1 February 1944

This photo, taken on February 1, 1944, in Acciarella, Italy, shows a beautiful moment....when the war seemed so far away. On that day, PFC Frederick "Fred" Gonsalves (Barnstable County, Massachusetts) confronted German forces and came under heavy fire, before having a little rest at a nearby farm. That's when a little Italian girl, and one of her dogs, approached this American hero and sat right beside him. Together, they enjoyed a moment of peace, and briefly forgot the chaos and devastation that surrounded them. Fred survived the rest of war, returned to Massachusetts, and was welcomed by his beloved wife Phyllis who had prayed every single day for his safe return. Together, they raised six children (three boys and three girls) and had a wonderful life. Fred passed away on November 7, 1991, and is now resting in peace at Island Pond Cemetery in Harwich, Massachusetts.

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