Joliet man was among band of brothers Frank Perconte, 1917-2013 October 26, 2013|By Lauren Zumbach, Chicago Tribune reporter 1457 World War II veteran Frank Perconte, left, became famous after he was portrayed in the miniseries Band of Brothers by the actor James Madio, right. World War II veteran Frank Perconte, left, became famous after he was portrayed in the miniseries Band of Brothers by the actor James Madio, right. (CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNE) Frank Perconte was a decorated Army veteran who parachuted into some of the most famous battles of World War II. Decades later he gained his own measure of fame when his service was immortalized in the popular book and miniseries Band of Brothers. From then to the end of his days, Mr. Perconte would get letters from people around the world, thanking him for his heroism and bravery, said his son, Richard. But he always said, Im not the hero, the heroes are the ones who were left behind, his son said. Mr. Perconte, 96, was the oldest surviving member of Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles Division. He died Thursday, Oct. 24, at his home in Joliet. A memorial service is set for Monday, but Richard Perconte said there are no plans to talk much about the war or the fame that came late in his fathers life. Other people remember him as a hero, or for the series, but to us he was a wonderful father and grandfather, and thats what Ill remember, he said. Mr. Perconte was born March 10, 1917, in Joliet to Joseph and Mary Perconte. He enlisted in the Army on Aug. 17, 1942, with his friend Herman Hanson. Theyd seen paratroopers in a clip at the movie theater and decided that if they were going to be drafted soon anyway, they wanted to serve in an exciting, top-notch outfit, Richard Perconte said. They were among the first soldiers assigned to Easy Company, upon whose exploits Band of Brothers was based. I think they got a little more than they bargained for, his son said. With his comrades in Easy Company, Mr. Perconte made a harrowing jump into Normandy before U.S. forces landed on the beaches on D-Day, his son said. He saw action in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden and was wounded by a German sniper in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, the largest and costliest battle of the war for the U.S. But he quickly returned to the front for the occupation of Germany. After the war, Mr. Perconte worked as a train operator in Gary, then as a postman in Joliet, a job he held for about 30 years, his son said. He rarely talked about the war, though if you asked, hed be honest, his son said. The only exception was during annual Easy Company reunions, when the men opened up to each other and Richard Perconte would listen, enraptured. They went through so much together, it really formed a lifelong bond. They really were a band of brothers, Richard Perconte said. It was rare for someone to recognize Mr. Perconte or thank him for his service, but when the miniseries came out in 2001 that changed, Richard Perconte said. Suddenly Mr. Perconte was a public hero. He and his son went to the premiere in France with executive producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and also attended the Emmys, Richard Perconte said. James Madio, the actor who portrayed Frank Perconte in the series, watched the premiere with him. Its incredible how these guys operate, because the minute the show ended, the first thing he asked was why he didnt see enough of his best friend, George Luz. He wasnt worried how he looked, he was worried about the guy who was at his side throughout, Madio said. Madio and Mr. Perconte became close friends, and a few years after the release they and some of the men Mr. Perconte served with went to Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day. Afterward they retraced Mr. Percontes route through Europe. It was the first time Mr. Perconte had returned to many of the battle sites, but Madio said Mr. Perconte remembered the events of more than 60 years earlier vividly, even pointing out the window from which a sniper had shot him in Bastogne. When they stopped in Eindhoven, Netherlands, a town Perconte helped liberate, he was greeted by a crowd of children thanking him with cards on which theyd drawn paratroopers falling from the sky, Madio said. They were truly looking at him as a hero, and it was a beautiful moment. Richard Perconte said his father had an infectious, outgoing personality. The humility with which his father handled his sudden fame, and his courage in dealing with adversity, set a great example for his family, he said. He always kept his feet on the ground. His approach was that it had been their job and they were well-trained to do it, Richard Perconte said. Even though Mr. Perconte wasnt the type to seek attention, Madio said he was happy that the film garnered some acclaim for the old veteran. I think it was owed to him, Madio said. He deserved it. Mr. Perconte is also survived by a sister, JoAnn Clennon, and two grandsons. His wife, Evelyn, preceded him in death. Visitation is set for 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet. Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:39:41 +0000