Pacut, honored with three medals, endured difficult combat in World War II The father of Susan Gillato, Anthony Pacut, Jr., fought in the 30th
Infantry Division in World War II, and experienced rough combat fighting against Germany’s First SS Division. He fought at Normandy, the Bulge, Northern France and Rhineland. It was some of the most difficult fighting experienced by the United States Army during the war. He was seriously injured in France on July 28, 1944 while driving a horsedrawn munitions wagon. He was hit with shrapnel across his chest. “I have the western union telegram from Washington, DC and then my mother received another letter October 7, 1944 from the War Department stating he was released and returned to active duty,” said Susan.
Pacut was decorated with three overseas service bars-the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Battle Stars along with a good conduct medal and World War II Victory Medal. His military occupational specialty was rifleman 745. “I have spent very emotional times with the French civilians that work at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial,” said Susan, who visited France recently. “They were so helpful and assisted me with finding records of my father’s division. They love Americans. There was lots of crying and hugs, thanking the daughter of a serviceman who helped liberate France.”
o t a l l i G Susan
Susan has spent over three decades in the travel industry designing tours and cruises around the world that showcase the gastronomic heritage and cultural highlights of a destination. Her primary focus has always been to present authentic experiences, meet locals and preserve culture. She will be back in France again in October. Susan began her career back in the 1980s with promoting travel to Disney and Las Vegas. She also arranged tours to India, Morocco and Egyptwhich involves less travel now because of political unrest. She currently does several World War II activities in France and a few for World War I. One of her five-day tours takes place in Paris and celebrates WWII-D-Day, the Landing Beaches and Battle of Normandy. The tour visits the beaches of Normandy and Utah, where Allied troop landed and gained a foothold in the fight against Nazi Germany. Tours are available from April 20 through September 21, 2018. If interested, contact Susan at TravelCraft, Cruises & Tours LLC, email: susan@susangillato.com phone: 773-304-7879.
. r J , t u c a P Anthony