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Lost in 1944, WWII soldier from Buffalo positively identified by family research and DNA analysis

May 22, 2024 | Local News

Private First Class Loschiavo

Buffalo native Bartholomew Loschiavo was the second youngest of 11 children of Sicilian immigrant parents Agostino Loschiavo and Concetta Caito. Bart was born on May 27, 1920, in the Dante Place neighborhood of Buffalo.

Private First Class Loschiavo entered the military on Sept. 16, 1940. He served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, in the European Theater during World War II. PFC Loschiavo was killed in action on Oct. 1, 1944, while in combat against German troops near Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.

Initially, his remains were not found by the military, and he was reported to his family as MIA. The Loschiavo family was notified at the end of WWII that PFC First Class Bartholomew C. Loschiavo was killed in action. Unknown to U.S. Army officials, Loschiavo’s remains were discovered by local residents and buried in the Church Cemetery of Grevenmacher. In the late 1940s, the burial site was discovered by U.S. military and Loschiavo’s remains were transferred to the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where he has remained in an anonymous grave for over 75 years.

Bart’s nephew, Augustine Loschiavo, initially conducted military research regarding his uncle’s service and the circumstances of his death. In 2019, Augustine’s son Donald Loschiavo took active steps to obtain additional records from the U.S. Army. By early 2020, sufficient evidence had emerged to commence the process of comparing the unidentified soldier in the Luxembourg cemetery with the aim of positively identifying PFC Loschiavo through DNA analysis of family members in the Buffalo area.

The Loschiavo family of Buffalo was notified in April 2024 by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) that the exhumed unknown remains in the Luxembourg American Cemetery have been positively identified as Buffalo native Private First Class Bartholomew C. Loschiavo through comparative DNA analysis with three nephews and a grand-niece.

The family is working with the American Battle Monuments Commission’s local liaison and Lakeside Funeral Home to finalize proper services and a military funeral as detailed below. PFC Loschiavo’s family consists of likely over 200 nieces and nephews over multiple generations. Several members of the extended family will be traveling into Buffalo from as far as Georgia and Arizona to participate in the services honoring their uncle.  

The story of Bart Loschiavo and his ultimate sacrifice has been carried on through the generations over the past 80 years. The family is honored to bring closure and to properly honor their uncle on behalf of his parents and siblings.

Details of Arrival and Services:
• May 23 – 5:35 p.m.: PFC First Class Bartholomew Loschiavo’s remains will arrive at the Buffalo International Airport.
• June 1 – 10 a.m.: Visitation will be held at Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home Inc., 1340 Union Road, West Seneca.
• June 1 – 11:30 a.m.: Prayers and eulogy by family.
• June 1 – Noon: PFC First Class Bartholomew Loschiavo’s remains will be transferred to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3063 Harlem Road, Buffalo.
• June 1 – 12:30 p.m.: Full Military Honors at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

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