Quincy WWII Veteran To Honor Lieutenant Who Saved His Life

QUINCY, MA — A 96-year-old Quincy World War II veteran hopes to honor the lieutenant who saved his life by traveling to Columbia, South Carolina to give him a final salute.

According to a GoFundMe page set up for his travel expenses, Anthony Grasso is planning to make the trip in May to visit the grave of Frank DuBose, an army lieutenant who died at the Battle in Hurtgen Forest and ultimately saved Grasso's life by standing between him and a shell explosion.

On November 2, 1944, Grasso and DuBose were ordered to scout out German positions ahead of an American attack, says the GoFundMe. However, the Germans were hidden in the dark shadows of the Hurtgen Forest and the two men ran out into an open field amidst heavy shelling to get a better look. A shell exploded before they could report back, sending Grasso 30 feet in the air and killing DuBose instantly.

“He stood between me and the blast, taking the brunt of the shrapnel,” said Grasso.

Grasso's daughter, Donna Grasso Dunn, set up the GoFundMe to help with the travel expenses of her father and his caregivers. With help from donors, the Veterans Affairs Office, and local police departments, Grasso will receive a ceremonial sendoff from Logan Airport in Boston on May 27.

Time is not on the side of our WWII veterans," said Grasso Dunn. "Of the 16 million who fought in thatwar, less than 300,000 are alive today. Grasso, who had just turned 20 at the time of the Battle in Hurtgen Forest, is 96 years old. With your help, we can fulfill his wishes."

The GoFundMe page for Grasso can be found here. Any money remaining following the trip to South Carolina will be donated to veteran services.