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Louis "Chief” Merlano
Based at Chelton Foliat. 502nd Co. A. Company scout and rifleman, also communications
corporal.
Friends: Cpl. John M. Lapikas
S&t. Johnny Flores, squad leaders
Pfc Julio "Rod” Rodriguez
Pfc Ray (The Duke) Hoffman (he was gong to college and working his way through
as a model)
They lived together for almost 1 1/2 years. Very close.
Three days before Merlano's group is broken up because he's told that he is going with
4th Squad, Co.A. Sgt. Rod Rodriguez says "Whose gonna look after you?"
Ray Hoffman says: "Pm frankly a connoiseur of the finer things in life." He polishes his
nails.
"O.K., lover boy."
Was raised in a boy's homeon Staten Island, no famly.
He never got mail so his buddies used to let him readtheir letters. He used to write Rod *s
love letters.
Lapikas had curly sandy hair and he wouldn’t have it shorn. He was jumped and hacked.
"You’re going in balS like the rest of us. Lapikas took it with a grin.
Sgt. Lewis Ferko, a very quiet average sized, stocky 5-8 knew his buisness. It was a HQ’s
group of 1st platoon/
Capt. R.L. Davidson—6 footer, ramrod type, Co. Com. of A and the whole HQ group in plane
was dropped in the channel
Louwas in plane 3. 1 and 2 landed in ocean and half of Lou’s plane.
Lou was originally planned to jump last, but Lsgt. Lewis Perko, when they were lined up at
plane, said, "Lou, because you’re carrying so much stuff, you better jump second so move up.
I'll take your place."