On a wall in the cemetery in Section B (left half of cemetery, back right corner)

An engraved white marble wall mounted gravestone with a light; typical of an Italian cemetery about 2 feet by 2 feet.

Private First Class Olivo “Tony” Boer was born in Prata di Pordenone in the Northeastern  region of Friuli Venezia Guila, Italy on January 21, 1916.  He emigrated to the United States in the 1930s and served in the US Army in World War 2.  He served with Company E of the 337^th Infantry Regiment, 85^th Infantry Division in Italy during the war.  He was killed in operations against the Gothic line north of Florence, Italy in September 1944. A brother of Olivo, Attilio,  served with Patton’s Third Army in the 2nd Armored Division, while two other brothers, twins Umberto and Mario, were unable to depart Italy before the war started and were drafted into the Italian Army serving in Montenegro; both later emmigrated to the US.

A remembrance about Olivo’s life and service from his niece Olivia: 

My uncle, Olivo Boer was born in 1916 in the Northeast region of Friuli, Italy.  The oldest of 4 boys, he was being pressured by the fascist to join the Brown Shirts. He emigrated to New York in 1934 at age 18.

His Army enlistment date is December 1942.  He was 26 years old, spoke English and Italian and was 6 feet tall.  He served in the 337th Infantry Regiment, 85 Division, Company E. He was KIA on September 19, 1944.  He was 28 years old. He was initially buried near Florence, but at the request of his parents he was re-interred in his hometown in Italy.  I have these letters and I have visited his grave.

My father served under General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge. I have very little information about my father's service since his records along with his brother's were burned in a fire. 

The two youngest brothers were twins and did not make it out of Italy before the war so they were drafted into the Italian Army. According to my cousin, when the war ended, they were told by their commanding officer to go home.  When they asked how they were going to get home the officer told them Italy lost the war and the country was broke. They were on their own.  They went from town to town, farm to farm until they made it home.  They were in Montenegro when the war ended so the literally walked home.  They later emigrated to the U.S. 

We must not forget the sacrifice these men made. They were proud of their Italian roots, but they were also very happy to become Americans.

The text on the gravestone is inscribed in Italian and reads:

BOER OLIVO di OLIVO

VALOROSE COMBATTENTE

DELLA V ARMATA STATUNITENSE

PER LA LIBERATIOZIONE DELLA SUA PATRIA

CADDE EROICAMENTE COMBATENDO

IN VISTA DI FIRENZE

N.21-1-1916             M. 19-9-1944

The translation in English:

BOER OLIVO, SON OF OLIVO

VALIANT COMBATANT

OF THE 5^TH US ARMY

FIGHTING FOR THE LIBERATION OF HIS COUNTRY

FELL HEROICALLY 

IN VIEW OF FLORENCE

BORN: JANUARY 21, 1916               DIED: SEPTEMBER 19, 1944