This morning, March 14, 2024, in a completely unexpected way, the nephew Ed Luna and other relatives - Perry, Ellis - of the Private First Class soldier Rito Luna came to visit the MuGot - Gothic Line Museum at Ponzalla. Moon Ritedied during the attack on Monticelli, in the days between 12 and 18 September 1944. The GT President Luca Faini who meet the family tlle the story of this battle where Rito Luna fought in these mountains. This is another testimony to the attachment that in the United States families mantain with their fathers and grandfathers who served in the US Army as part of the Italian Campaign, sacrificing, as in this case, their lives for Freedom. Honor to soldier Rito Luna, honor to his family.
Pvt. First Class Rito Luna was born May 22, 1925, in Sedgwick, Kansas. It was part of the 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, 5th Army. Tragically he lost his life in combat in Italy. According to the records, he died on 18 September 1944 during the battle of Monticelli1 .
1.Deaths were counted at the end of a battle, so the day of death may be inaccurate.
The remains of the Elite Soldier Moon Rite is buried in the United States, at Hillside Cemetery in Sedgwick, Harvey County, Kansas.
The name of the Pvt. First Class Rito Luna is found on the large Homomorto Monument, just one kilometer beyond the Gothic Museum, on a hill positioned to the left of the road going up towards the Giogo Pass.
The monument dedicated to the 363rd Infantry Regiment of the US Army consists of a semicircular wall around a bronze sculpture. Inscribed on the two lower walls, which extend laterally, are the names of 436 soldiers of the 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, who died during the fighting on Monticelli and Monte Altuzzo for the conquest of Passo del Giogo.
