Risto Milosevich

Survived by Wife, Mary of 68 years; Son, Mark; Daughter, Susan Vessells(Bobby); 6 Grandchildren, and 7 Great

Grandchildren. Predeceased by Daughter, Carol.

Risto Milosevich's parents were from Hercegovina. Risto's father, Arsen Milosevich, came to the United States in 1912 from the village of Ljubinje. His mother, Milka (Pravica), was from Trebinje. She emigrated in 1922. Arsen and Milka were married in Los Angeles that year, and the Miloseviches became a well known family in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles.

Riso Milosevich, a native of Los Angeles, California, and a highly decorated American soldier, was in a foxhole in Belgium on the morning of December 16, 1944, when the German army unleashed a furious artillery barrage. That was the beginning of World War II's largest and last battle on the western front, the Battle of the Bulge.

Milosevich and 17 other members of a 24-man platoon, were part of an "intelligence and reconnaissance" unit whose assignment was to gather information on the German troop movements. As the Battle of the Bulge began, they found themselves on the front lines.

Fighting against incredible odds, the 18 men held out for 18 hours and killed over 500 Germans, most of them shot by Private Milosevich and Sergeant William Slape. They fought heroically, with no chance of winning, as thousands of Germans poured into the battle. They were eventually taken prisoner and held in a German prisoner-of-war (POW) camp for 136 days.

Only decades later was the platoon given recognition. It became the highest decorated platoon for a single action during the entire Second World War.

Risto Milosevich and three additional platoon members were considered for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest medal, but the consideration was ultimately turned down. Their heroism, however, was justly honored in 1980 when Milosevich and the three--Lyle J. Bouck, Jr.; William James; and William L. Slape--were awarded the second highest medal, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Funeral Services

November 12, 2011, 11:00 AM

St. Stevens Cathedral, 1621 W Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, CA.

Interment: Serbian United Benevolent Society Cemetery - LA.

In lieu of flowers make Donations to the Cathedral.

Arrangements by Pierce Bros Turner & Stevens

San Gabriel, CA 626-287-0595.