Augustus D. Labate was a loved and respected member of Hq1. He was a reliable comrade, always carried his load. He was a kind, compassionate man that loved his family, loved his country, and befriended everyone he met. His sacrifice in Normandy, France affected many lives. 

Epilogue

Hq1 veterans never forget Gus Labate. In June 1995, Hq1 held a reunion sponsored by Bill and Mabel Goudy in Marietta, Ohio. Gus Labate’s brother Frank and his son Fran Labate  (Gus’s nephew) attended the reunion.

This was Frank’s opportunity to meet some of Gus’s comrades and especially some of the men that were with Gus when he was killed.

The Labates quickly made friends with everyone and spent long hours discussing Gus Labates’ time in Hq1. They were especially interested in meeting with Ray Hummel, O.B. Hill, Dave Jones and Jim McMahon who were closest to Gus when he died.

The handsome Fran was an immediate hit with the ladies, and Frank Labate and Jim Wynne spent hours comparing their woodworking skills, Frank must have been the better woodworker as Jim had lost more fingertips.

Everyone was disappointed that David Jones who occupied the same foxhole with Gus Labate when he died was not present to meet Gus’s brother and nephew.  Fran rectified the situation by going to California and spending several enjoyable days with Dave and Dolly Jones.

Unfortunately, Frank Labate died a few months after the reunion. However, Fran Labate escorted Gus Labate’s two sisters to the Hq1 reunion sponsored by Rock and Sally Merritt in Fayetteville, NC in April 2001. Gus’s delightful sisters Anne and Jennie Labate enhanced the reunion by their friendliness, interest, and participation in the reunion activities.

Warren Brown visited Gus’s family after the war, and years later met Gus’s nephew Fran Labate.