U.S. Army Air Force
Killed in action

Son of Ralph and Stella Esposito. His name is also inscribed on their monument at Calvary Cemetery in Rutland, Vermont.


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SGT Esposito was born in New York, but by the age of 10, he and his family were living in Rutland, Vermont. He was one of 12 children born to Rafaelle "Ralph" and Estella Esposito, both Italian immigrants. He completed 1 year of college and was working as a clerk-typist prior to enlisting.

He enlisted in the US Army on 24 Aug 1942 at Fort Jay Governors Island, New York. After his initial basic training, he was later assigned to the 13th Bomber Squadron 3rd Bomber Group. SGT Esposito was a crew member on board a USAAF B-25D-NC Mitchell that went down in bad weather.

According to 3rd Bomb Group casualty reports, a USAAF B-25D-NC Mitchell, #41-29733, "Hell's Belles," of the 13th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group, based in Charters Towers, failed to arrive at Charters Towers on 31 December 1942 on a flight from Port Moresby. It is believed to have gone down somewhere in the Coral Sea during some bad weather.

There were no survivors. Eleven service personnel were killed in this accident as follows: Captain Neville D. Blakemore (0-360793), Pilot; 2nd Lieutenant Harold A. Heinbuch (0-789161), Co-pilot; Captain Leonard A. "Doc" Hymes (0-381202); Captain George S. Thomas (0-409063); 2nd Lieutenant Francis I. Wallace (0-660424); Sergeant Wallace O. Cloy (14014540); S/Sergeant Carl E. Collins (14045361); Sergeant Glenn F. Crawford, Jr. (14047825) Radio Operator/Gunner
Sergeant Eugene J. Esposito (11016171); Private Alexander J. Gow, Jr. (32185486); Corporal John M. Lucas (35050736).

SGT Esposito was listed as missing in action. His name appears on the Tablets of the Missing, located in the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. (Thank you Rick Ervin)