Born: October 13, 1920
Died: March 20, 2008
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian (wounded), Iwo Jima
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations:
Purple Heart
With Dog Company:
Otto Cesco served as a gunner with Dog Company's 3rd Platoon. He participated in the battle of Namur, and was transferred to Charlie Company in the spring of 1944.
With Charlie Company:
Cesco kept his position as a gunner within Charlie Company's machine gun platoon. He served through the battle of Saipan and made the landing on Tinian, where he was slightly wounded on July 24. Cesco stayed with the company and finished out the campaign.
Otto Cesco served in Mike Mervosh's squad during the battle of Iwo Jima, and was one of only thirty men to survive the fight unwounded. He mustered out at the end of his service and returned to Kentucky.
Cesco married twice, raised five children, and worked as a plant manager for the Black River Lime Company of Cincinnati. He died in Prestonburg, Kentucky, in 2008.
Otto Cesco was buried in Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel, Kentucky.