Albert L Villella

Cpl Albert Villella was killed in action on 17 June 1944, serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment. On 17 June 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 175th Infantry launched its attack toward Hill 108 at 0730 hours, only to be halted a few hours later by heavy machine gun and machine-pistol fire. Around midday, German forces struck the battalion's right flank, but the counterattack was driven back with help from the 2nd Battalion. By 2210 hours the men had closed to within 600 yards of their objective, and after patrols pinpointed the entrenched enemy position and artillery and mortar fire softened it up, the battalion pushed forward and occupied the ground just as darkness fell. In the fighting they seized an 88mm gun, a 150mm mortar, a 20mm gun, assorted equipment, and 15 prisoners, before settling into a temporary defensive position for the night under continuing enemy fire. Cpl Villella was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.