Joseph Cordato (1913-2005)

Retired, Lt. Col., United States Army

Joseph Cordato, born 23 May 1913 and son of Michele and Rosina (Santomartino) Cordati completed ROTC at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in May of 1937 and entered Army service on 31 May 1937 as a 2nd Lieutenant.  Over the course of his robust military career he served in many battles and campaigns including the European Theater, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.  Lt. Colonel Joseph Cordato retired from Army service on 8 March 1966.  In 1970 Joseph sent a letter, and received response from Retired Major General Curtis LeMay regarding an interaction which occurred between the two and was part of the general's book "Mission With LeMay".

Award of Bronze Star Medal
"Captain JOSEPH CORDATO, 0352943, Corps. of Engineers, 304th Engineer Battalion, United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against the enemy from 5 April 1945 to 9 April 1945 in Germany. During this period Captain CORDATO made repeated reconnaissance trips often under enemy fire, to determine the best possible sites for footbridges across the Emscher and Rhein-Horne Canals. Largely due to his diligence in accomplishing the earliest possible examination of the area, bridges were constructed by his company and the two canals were successfully crossed. The courage and attention to duty displayed by Captain CORDATO reflect great credit on the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from New York."  (Excerpt--“HEADQUARTERS 79TH INFANTRY DIVISION, GENERAL ORDERS,” (Sec. VI, GO No. 88, Hq. 79th Inf. Div., 25 May 1945)).

Service Decorations:

• Bronze Star Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar
• Marksman Badge with Pistol Bar
• Lapel Button for NOK of Deceased Personnel
• Unit awarded the French Croix de Guerre

Leonard G Cordato Jr (1919-1968)

Staff Sgt, United States Army (Active Duty)
1st Lieutenant, United States Army Reserves

Leonard G Cordato Jr, born in Hudson New York on 15 Mar 1919 he was the son of Leonard and Enrichetta (Ciancetta) Cordati. Leonard entered Army service on 21 July 1937 as a Private and was initially assigned to the 1st Armor Regiment and attended Topography School.  By the end of 1941 he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") where he served as Platoon Leader of an Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon.  Assigned to the Eastern Theater of Operations, now Staff Sgt. Cordato saw action in Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland.  On 23 Apr 1943 he was wounded in the Battle of El Guettar after a german shell exploded and fractured his nose while taking shrapnel to the face.   As Platoon Leader Cordato spearheaded some of the most vicious fighting in the European conflict.  He was in the assault landing in Africa (first wave) as well as Sicily and participated in a pre-invasion recon mission for the Normandy Invasion (D-Day minus 60 minutes).  He was Honorably discharged on 23 Jun 1945 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  Post-WWII and active duty service, Leonard became a First Lieutenant as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.  In 1968 Leonard G. Cordato Jr. was buried with full military honors in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, New York

Awarded Bronze Star Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and Belgian Fourragere
Leonard earned a Bronze Star for ground combat in Algeria, French Morocco and a second on "D-Day" Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.  He received a Purple Heart for wounds received in the battle while serving in Africa.  In 1944 he received the Belgian Fourragere at Liege, Belgium.

Service Decorations:

• 2 Bronze Star Medals (w/Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Purple Heart
• Belgian Fourragere
• Combat Infantryman's Badge
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal

Anthony J. Cordato (1913-1944)

Killed in Action, Sgt. United States Army

Anthony J. Cordato, born in Hudson, New York, on 11 Mar 1913, he was the son of the late Leonard and Enrichetta (Ciancetta) Cordati.   He entered Army service in March of 1942 was known to many friends as "chink" or "Tony".  He served valiantly as a Sergeant during WWII in the Central Pacific but was killed in action 15 Jun 1944 on Guam.  Sgt. Cordato was lauded in a letter sent to his brother, Joseph, by Capt. Joseph F Watts, commanding officer. The letter and the Purple Heart was sent to his brother Joseph.  Anthony was later buried at the Long Island Military Cemetery in New York. The letter, dated 6 Sep 1944 on Sgt. Cordato's death is as follows:

Dear Mr. Cordato,

Your brother Anthony has been under my command since we were first alerted for overseas duty.  During this time he had shown himself to be one of the most loyal and trustworthy non-commissioned officers.  He was respected and loved by all who knew him.  The entire company joins me in expressing our sympathy to you at this time.  Anthony died in the performance of his duty, and I believe you will be happy to know that he did not suffer. "Company C" marched in a body and participated in the religious services held for him.  I know that Anthony's death is not an easy loss for you to bear, nor is it for us.  We have lost a brave comrade, whose place it will be difficult to fill.  His memory will serve to strengthen our resolve to bring this war to a speedy close.

My deepest sympathy,
Joseph F Watts, Captain

Joseph P. Cordato (1911-1972)

Corporal, United States Army

Joseph P. Cordato, born in Hudson, New York on 5 Aug 1911, he was the son of the late Leonardo G and Enrichetta (Ciancetta) Cordati.  Joseph served in the U.S. Army for just over three years serving from 12 Mar 1943 until his release date of 16 Mar 1946.  A local Hudson newspaper went on to say, "...he was a veteran of WWII where he saw plenty of action in France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Czechoslovakia as a tank gunner in the 23rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.  After VE Day he was transferred to the 16th A.D. Band, which was then touring Europe with the Jack Benny Show.  Then, in November 1945 he was transferred to Munich, Germany, and was broadcast regularly from AFN Munich with the 115th A.G.F. Dance Band." (Hudson Daily Star, 5 May 1947) 

George P. Cordato (1915-1989)

Sergeant, United States Army

George P. Cordato, born in Hudson, New York on 27 Feb 1915, he was the son of the late Leonardo G and Enrichetta (Ciancetta) Cordati.  George served in the U.S. Army from 25 Mar 1942 until his release date of 6 Nov 1946.  George received his Basic Infantry Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and later served as squad leader with the 77th Infantry Division, rifle company during WWII.  The War Department, Bereau of Public Relations later put out the following press release (SIS Release SF-506) which stated in part "...Corporal Cordato was wounded while on a combat reconnaissance and combat patrol in Leyte, for which his mortar squad was assigned to provide support."  It continues with George's account, "...we ran into a battalion...a sniper got me in the shoulder while we were trying to pull back.  Our patrol was pinned down by machine gun and mortar fire for quite a while that day, then we had to evacuate our wounded before we could leave the area.  I was hit carrying out the last wounded man, a squad leader from another platoon."  The combat portion of the release then concluded with " In addition to the Purple Heart, Corporal Cordato has the Combat Infantryman Badge awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy."  George died 4 Sep 1989 and was buried with full honors at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside. CA (Section 42, Site 2588).

Leonard "Tony" Cordato

Specialist 5, United States Army

Leonard "Tony" Cordato, born in Hudson, New York on 11 Apr 1946, he is the son of the late Leonard "Buster" and Harriet (Parker) Cordato.  Tony served in the US Army from Oct 1966 through Dec 1969 and received specialized training in Army administration/personnel management at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.  For his stateside duty he served at Ft. Ord, California.  Tony also served one tour of duty in Viet-Nam as part of the HQ 34th Engineer Group (Const).  Upon his return to the United States Tony spent his final duty time in Albany, New York as part of AFEES (USAREC).

Service Decorations:

• Vietnam Service Medal
• Vietnam Campaign Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• Overseas Service Bar

John C. Cordato Sr. (1932-2011)

Retired, United States Army

John C. Cordato Sr., born in Hudson, New York on 12 Oct 1932, he was the son of the late John and Molly (DeJoy) Cordato. John was a soldier in the U.S. Army for 23 years. He was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict and also Viet-Nam where he served 2 tours of duty.  John was buried with full military honors in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, New York.

Michael Joseph Cordato (1927-2014)

United States Army 

Michael J Cordato, was born in Manhattan, New York on 9 Oct 1927, he is the son of Vincenzo and Theresa (Santora) Cordati.  Michael joined the Army Signal Corps in Jan of 1946, where as a member of the Western Base Section Sig. Depot Company would spend the majority of his 14 month "General Clerk" WWII service commitment serving in France.  He was Honorably Discharged in March of 1947.  Michael died 21 Nov 2014 and was buried with full military honors in St. Mary's Cemetery, Saddle Brook, New Jersey. 

Michael V Cordato

Senior Airman, United States Air Force

Michael V Cordato, born in Hackensack, New Jersey on 31 Mar 1972, he is the son of Michael Joseph and Felice (Zellea) Cordato.  Michael entered Air Force service on 20 Aug 1991 and served in Colorado, South Carolina, as well as two tours of duty in Southeast, Asia (Saudia Arabia, Kuwaiit) as a part of Operation Desert Shield/Southern Watch.  As an Avionic Sensor Maintenance Specialist with the 20th Component Repair Squadron and 4404th Composite Wing (Provisional) he was to part of a team which repaired and kept operational the F-16, Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system and A-10 Thunderbolt Pave Penny system.  He was honorably discharged on 19 Aug 1995. 

Service Decorations:

• Southwest Asia Service Medal w/1 Device
• National Defense Service Medal
• Achievement Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• Outstanding Unit Award

Vincent J Cordato (1922-1998)

Staff Sergeant, United States Army Air Corps

Vincent J Cordato, known to everyone as "Jimmy" was born in Manhattan, New York on 26 Aug 1922, he is the son of Vincenzo and Theresa (Santora) Cordati.  Jimmy entered Army service on 20 Oct 1942, served in India during WWII, and was honorably discharged.  He died 10 Mar 1998 and was buried with full military honors in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York (Section H Site 9033).