Carlo Richard Brutto was born January 11, 1924 in Utica, NY to Pietro Paolo "Peter" Brutto (1885-1953) and Francesca Maria Scalise (1886-1963). His parents were both from Italy and they were married in1908. His dad worked at the Avalon Knitting Mill in Utica, NY. Carlo (Carl) was the youngest of their 7 children which included Mary (1909-1990), Philip (1912-1984), Salvatore "Sam" (1914-2011), Rose (abt. 1917-2004), Susan (abt. 1919-1997) and Jesse (abt. 1923-1933). Many of the children's first names were anglicized. Carl attended Brandegee School and was a member of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church. The family lived at 740 Catherine St., Utica, NY.

Carl registered for the draft on June 30, 1942 in Utica, NY and at the time was 5'-6" tall and weighed 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was drafted into the service on March 25, 1943 with service number 32854257. He reported having completed grammar school, being single. and working at the Rome Air Depot in Rome, NY. He may have also worked in the freight yard for the New York Central Railroad.

He completed training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama in July 1943 and was granted a 9 day furlough to visit home. Upon returning to duty he was sent overseas as a "replacement" to the 3rd Division. The 3rd Infantry Division’s World War II route is remarkable for its length, variety, and repeated amphibious landings. Known as the “Rock of the Marne,” the division entered combat during Operation Torch in November 1942, landing in French Morocco before moving on to the Sicilian campaign in July 1943. It is here that Pvt. Brutto joined them. In Sicily, the division advanced rapidly across the island, reaching Palermo and then helping close the campaign at Messina. Its next major landing came at Salerno in September 1943. From there, the 3rd Infantry fought north through the Volturno and Winter Line battles before assaulting Anzio in January 1944.

According to Morning Reports, Pvt. Brutto's company lands on the beach near Nuttuno, Italy and only a few days later he was reported as having been "wounded in action" on the 26th. He died in a field hospital on January 31, 1944. His body was returned home and in late November 1948. A high mass was held at his church, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel in his memory he was laid to rest with full military honors in the family plot of the Calvary Cemetery, Utica, NY.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen on Together We Served and Fold3.

(Please see - http://www.storiesbehindthestars.org).

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If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute, please contact Jim Greenberg at jim.greenberg@oneonta.edu.

SBTSProject/New York/Oneida

Sources

"Death Follows Utican's 4th Wound", Utica Observer-Dispatch, February 28, 1944, pg. 8.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117746654/carl_r-brutto: accessed May 30, 2026), memorial page for Carl R. Brutto (11 Jan 1924–31 Jan 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 117746654, citing Calvary Cemetery, Utica, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Geanygal (contributor 48091759).

“Mass for Soldier Killed in Italy”, Utica Daily Press, Utica, NY, March 10, 1944, pg. [illegible]

National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 05742; Reel: 238

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri, Morning Reports for January 1944: Roll 566 (1 of 3); Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration; NAID: 461873507.

ibid; Morning Reports for August 1943: Roll 280 (2 of 4)

ibid: Morning Reports for August 1943: Roll 280 (4 of 4)

ibid: Morning Reports for October 1943: Roll 663 (1 of 2)

ibid: Morning Reports for November 1943: Roll 559 (2 of 4)

ibid; Morning Reports for January 1944: Roll 487 (4 of 5)

The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC, USA; Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957; Microfilm Serial or NAID: T715; RG Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; RG: 85

Obituaries, Mrs. Pietro Brutto, Daily Press, Utica, NY, June 22, 1963, pg. 10.

"Rites Planned for War Dead Of Utica, Area", Utica Observer-Dispatch, November 21, 1948, pg. 7.

"Utican Dies of 4th Wound", Utica Daily Press, Utica, NY, February 29, 1944, pg. 6.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Utica Ward 8, Oneida, New York; Roll: T625_1245; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 139

Year: 1930; Census Place: Utica, Oneida, New York; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0098; FHL microfilm: 2341356

Year: 1940; Census Place: Utica, Oneida, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02861; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 67-33

Supporting Documents