About Us
The Bertocci Memorial Club has been serving the greater Brockton community for over 60 years. We were founded in memory of Charles "Tut" Bertocci, who gave his life for our country in World War II.
Charles, a native Brocktonian, was serving on the USS Juneau when it sank in November of 1942.
Following are articles from "The Brockton Enterprise"
February 4, 1943 - Thinks Son One of Injured Survivors
Mrs. Nicholas Bertocci of 82 Otis Street is convinced that her son Seaman Charles (Tut) Bertocci, reported missing in action, is alive. On the S. S. Juneau, high-speed new cruiser reported sunk in battle in the Solomon Islands area, the Brockton young man was reported missing last month. In a picture of survivors in a national magazine, Mrs. Bertocci believes she recognizes her son. She has written to the magazine and is being mailed the print of that picture. In her mind there is not doubt that the injured soldier is her son.
July 28, 1943 - Young Brocktonian On USS Juneau
Hope is gone for the Bertocci family of 82 Otis Street for six months they have clung to the slim chance that Charles (Tut) Bertocci report missing in action last November might somehow be alive.
A letter from the Secy of the navy Frank Knox leaves no room for doubt. He writes that the personnel missing as a result of the loss of the Juneau were in fact killed by enemy action. The sorrowing parents, Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bertocci and his eight brothers and sisters have been forced to abandon all hope for the 20 year-old East Side youth.
The letter from Secy Knox follows
"Eight months have now elapsed since the loss of the USS Juneau during the battle of the Guadalcanal on Nov 13, 1942. This lapse of time in view of the circumstances surrounding the disaster as officially reported by close witnesses forces me reluctantly that the personnel missing, as a result of the lost of the Juneau were in fact killed by enemy action. Among them was your son Charles Bertocci seamen second class U.S. Navy. This will extend to you my sincere and personal sympathy in your great loss and my hope that you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his country upholding the highest tradition of the Navy. The navy feels the loss of his services and shares in your sense of bereavement. The bravery of those who made possible the victories at Guadalcanal will long be remembered by a grateful people."
Mrs. Bertocci is ill and has been for several months but she was feeling slightly better when the letter arrived from the navy. When the news came she collapsed. The once carefree youngster, who enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday anniversary, served with the five Sullivans who lost their lives at sea. When he was home on leave last decoration day, young Bertocci told his family of serving with the five boys and commented, "it was a wonderful thing to see five brothers serving side by side."
Bertocci was with the signal corps on the USS Juneau, the high-speed new cruiser which was sunk in battle in the Solomon Islands area of the South Pacific. He was well known as an accordionist and guitarist and was employed as a driver for a dairy company prior to his enlistment.
Charles (Tut) Bertocci, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Bertocci of 82 Otis street, reported "missing in action" by the U.S. Navy was with the signal corps. One the S.S. Juneau, high-speed new cruiser report sunk in battles in the Solomon Islands area of the South Pacific.
The Bertocci family was over come with grief at the news of their carefree youngster who enlisted.
