Thomas S. Amato was born in Sicily, Italy in 1880. When he was fourteen years old, he came to the United States, and he settled in Sandusky, Ohio. In 1901 he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Infantry of the Ohio National Guard, and was promoted from private to the rank of Sergeant. While with this unit, he did guard duty at the funeral of President William McKinley in Canton in 1901. In 1914 Amato was named captain of the unit. From 1916 through 1917, he served as a guard on the Mexican border and in other parts of the United States. During World War I, Captain Amato was transferred to the 148th Infantry at Camp Sheridan. Later he was assigned to Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was commissioned Major on September 14, 1918. Amato was assigned to the 5th Training Battalion in Camp Meade, Maryland, and was in charge of commanding the discharge division of the demobilization group. Major Thomas S. Amato was honorably discharged on May 23, 1919. After completing his military service, Major Amato was influential in seeing that the Erie County edition of the Honor Roll, 1917-1918 was published. This book features pictures and biographical sketches of those who served during World War I, along with information about the individuals who contributed to the war effort on the home front. (The image above is from this publication.)
On October 23, 1921, Thomas S. Amato died at the Marine Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, following a surgical procedure. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, a son, two brothers, and a sister. He was buried with full military honors at Sandusky’s Oakland Cemetery.
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