James P Stassola enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 9, 1942 in Hartford, CT.

He volunteered for parachutist duty and was assigned to Company A in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment which was just forming at Camp Blanding, FL. Following basic training the regiment moved to Fort Benning, GA for jump school and then moved on to Camp Mackall, NC for advanced training.

On December 28, 1943 the unit sailed from New York City Harbor aboard the USAT James T. Parker and twelve days later landed in Belfast, Ireland. With nearly three months of field exercises under its belt, the regiment next transferred to Nottingham, England where final preparations were made for its role in the European Theater.

At about 2 a.m. on June 6, 1944, James Stassola and 2200 other men of the 508th leaped into the sky over Normandy. He was one of the regiment's many casualties suffered that same day.

His remains were initially interred at Plot H, Row 1, Grave 16 in the Blosville Temporary Cemetery. When the permanent American Cemetery in Normandy was completed following the war, his parents elected to have James' remains returned to his home area.

Pfc Stassola now rests in Section 43 Lot 3 of the Mountain Grove Cemetery and Mausoleum, Bridgeport (Fairfield County), Connecticut.  He was awarded the Purple Heart.