John Yagada

John Thomas Yagada was born April 27, 1919, in Shamrock, Pennsylvania, the son of Mrs. Mary Yagada. His education ended after two years of high school, and he went to work as a carpenter.

The United States entered WWII on December 7, 1941, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Twelve days later John T. Yagada travelled to Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio, where he enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps. He remained stateside for a year and a half, then served overseas from July 27, 1943 through December 1, 1945, being discharged from service on December 5, 1943.

In January 1950 John applied for WWII Veterans Compensation; and at that time he was living in Republic, Pennsylvania with his wife and mother. He was married to Rella Marie Carbonara, the daughter of Italian immigrants Pasquale and Angelina (Natale) Carbonara. (The couple must have later divorced, because at the time of her death in 1996, Rella Marie was married to Angelo Michael Flores, and is buried with him at Fort Benning, Georgia.)

John T. Yagada died November 14, 1990, at the age of 71. He is buried on Hart Island.

Sources: Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application File; U.S. WWII Army Enlisment Records, 1938-1946; U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 (Rella); www.findagrave.com (Rella).