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Remains of World War II soldier killed in 1944 identified, returned home to Buffalo
The remains of an American soldier who was killed in World War II have been identified and returned home to New York after nearly 80 years.
U.S. Army Pfc. Bartholomew Loschiavo of Buffalo was killed in action on Oct. 1, 1944, while his unit engaged German troops near Grevenmacher, Luxembourg.
According to a witness at the battle, 24-year-old Loschiavo was hit by an enemy mortar shell, injuring his legs and abdomen, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said in a statement. While trying to reach over, Loschiavo rolled off a terrace and disappeared into a cluster of grapevines. His remains could not be located after the battle.
“He really wanted to serve. It was something he wanted to do and we’re proud of that. He did do that,” his great-nephew Donald Loschiavo told CBS affiliate WIVB-TV.
Local residents discovered his remains and buried him in the village cemetery in Grevenmacher in April 1945. A year later, the American Graves Registration Command recovered the remains and transferred them to the Luxembourg American Cemetery, where he was laid to rest in an anonymous grave for more than 75 years.
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
“There was 5,000 men in that cemetery alone, including Bart, and there’s 96 of them still, with no name,” Donald Loschiago told WIVB-TV. “I hope other people would do this for their family member and bring them home.”
In 2020, his family contacted DPAA to ask if analysts could determine whether the remains might have been those of their relative. After several years, the U.S. Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission notified the Loschiavo family that their DNA was a positive match to the remains.
On May 27, just days before what would have been Bartholomew Loschiavo’s 104 birthday, his remains were returned home, WIVB-TV reported.
“We couldn’t be more proud of him and what he did for this country,” great-nephew David Loschiavo told WIVB-TV. “That’s really what it’s all about.”
Pfc. Loschiavo’s name was recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. His final burial took place on Saturday in Buffalo.
“This is closure and just sad that his brothers and sisters never had a chance to find out the truth,” Donald Loschiavo said.
CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
How to watch the “60 Minutes” election special
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