I have finally made contact with Robert Acalotto's Family. However, since I could not have explained the information forwarded to me any better than Cynthia Acalotto Eason did, I will utilize her words as they were sent to me in an e-mail earlier. I would also like to express my appreciation to Cynthia and her family for supplying me with this short but pertinent information concerning Robert's Acalotto's Family heritage.

Thank you again Cynthia for contact me. I will keep in touch with you as I continue to look for more information concerning Robert.

I am so happy that you could take the time to respond to my message. You must be very busy indeed and I appreciate your time and dedication to the cause. The following is a little history for your records you may use whatever you wish for your site. Since I am just returning from Pa. I will work on getting some other information put together for you.

Bobby's grandfather was Attilio Acalotto, born May 12, 1881; he came from Italy at the turn of the century through Ellis Island as so many immigrants of that time. He settled in Irwin, Pa. and married Madalena Gianola. These were Bobby's grandparents on his father’s side. Bobby's father was Dominic Acalotto, Sr. one of the sons of this marriage.

Dominic married Aurora Marsiglio and from this marriage (Bobby's siblings) were Donald Acalotto now (70), Ettore Acalotto (68), Dominic, Jr. (65) my father and Loretta (Acalotto) Leriotis (56). All the brothers live in North Huntingdon Township, PA (includes city of Irwin) and my aunt Loretta lives in Monroeville. Bobby was the youngest child born. He would have been approximately 50 years old now.

Bobby graduated from Norwin Sr. High School in North Huntingdon where he was raised all his life. He is catholic and raised attending St. Agnes Catholic Church in North Huntingdon. My grandmother was a Christian Mother there for 41 years of service. He enlisted in Greensburg. I think that is where everyone has him listed as being from because of the military records. There is a memorial in Irwin and at the High School in Bobby's name.

Bobby's father was a retired coal miner who worked his years in the mines in Hahntown and past away in 1985 from complications of the black lung as so many miners suffered from in their later years of life. Of course Aurora (his mother) passed away this past week at 90 years of age. She had spent her years raising her children at home and then later worked as a baker (the most famous pies in town) at the Diner on route 30 in Irwin. After my grandfather retired he made the most wonderful plate size doughnuts at the same diner. They were both quite well known for their baking throughout the township. Right before bobby left for his tour in Vietnam he was engaged to the owner of the Diner's daughter. Of course the kind of story so many of our men left behind. So tragic the life that could have been for so many men who lost their lives.

My father (Dominic, Jr.) retired from the military (Air Force) after 21 years of service. He spent approx. six years involved in the Vietnam War effort. I think I saw him a month here and a month there totaling somewhere around nine month’s home during that six-year time frame. He was quite heavily involved in the war especially after Bobby was shot down. I believe he was also there when he was first listed as down behind enemy lines. My father was tormented at not being able to bring his brother home. He tired to find him but as you know there is only so much you were allowed to do under the command of others. Some of my relatives have said that Bobby wanted to be like his older brothers and join the military following suite. I think the two oldest Don and Ettore were involved around the time of the

Korean War, but don't quote me on that yet. I'm still working on my genealogy start-up.

I hope this helps you with some information. I will try to help assist you in any way to help preserve Bobby's memory through your website. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. And, I'll try to gather more information pertaining to Bobby himself. Until next time, thank you again.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Acalotto Eason

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