PVT James Mercante was born 6 May 1916 in Barboursville, West Virginia. He was the oldest of the four children born to Bartholomeo and Maria Mercante, both of whom were Italian immigrants. Bartholomeo had served three years in the Italian army before he emigrated to the United States. The family moved around a bit while Bartholomeo supported his family working in various jobs in the coal mining and oil industry. Unfortunately his health was not good and he died 18 Dec 1922 in hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Maria died only four years later on 3 Mar 1926 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her passing orphaned James at age 9 and three sisters age 8, 4, and 3. James married Angelina Grace Iannone on 1 Sep 1940. James was working for Harbison-Walker refactory in Chester. The couple welcomed their first child, Vincent John Mercante, on 26 Apr 1943 but the boy died just nine days later of a congenital heart defect.
It must have been a difficult time for the couple because James was drafted in August 1943. James was already overseas when his wife had a daughter in April 1944. He must have been assigned to the 42nd Division at some time but was transferred to E Company 116th Infantry Regiment on 9 Aug 1944. He was with the unit as the 29th Division towards Brest and was killed in action on 1 Sep 1944.
PVT Mercante rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.
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