John “Johnny” Chinchilla

John Joseph Chinchilla was born on 31 March 1919, in Ambridge, PA. He worked as a foreman in the local industries, before putting on the uniform in 1943. He was a private in the 7th Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. In January of 1944, PVT Chinchilla’s unit had moved into Italy by sea. Upon the approach, PVT Chinchilla was shot by enemy machine gun fire. He was mortally wounded in the landing craft and died before reaching the beach. The 3d Infantry Division Chaplain, CH Ralph Smith, had mailed PVT Chinchilla’s mother. In the letter, he assures her that he “died instantly and without pain”, before notifying her that he attended “mass and received communion prior to his death.” In June of that year, his cousin (SSG Lawrence Martin) was killed in Normandy. Johnny’s older brother (1LT Francis Chinchilla) was killed via execution in September of 1944, after being subjected to capture in Germany. Today, Johnny and his older are buried together in the ABMC Luxembourg Cemetery.