Warren Brown also remembers how often Gus’s comrades speculated about what Gus would do if he survived the war, they were certain that no one would ever get Gus aboard another ship. 

In Port Stewart, Hq1 men received orientations on local customs, rationing and living under blackout conditions; they fired weapons, experience-ed hours of physical training to restore muscles lost during the sea voyage, and participated in field exercises.  A short time later, the 508^th PIR moved to a tent camp in Nottingham, England. 

Gus liked Nottingham, a large pleasant city just a ten-minute walk from his tent. The many pubs in Nottingham were delightful places to spend a few friendly hours. And the many dance halls always contained pretty willing dance partners.  Moreover, the local people were friendly, helpful and happy for the “Yanks” presence. Many of the 508^th PIR men were invited into their homes and became life-long friends. Life was good.

Nottingham wasn’t all pubs and dance halls. The 508^th PIR started  an-other arduous training program with night jumps and field exercises. 

In June, the 508^th PIR moved to an airport received,  detailed briefings on objectives, bid farewell to comrades and climbed (with help) into C-47s.

After a smooth flight over the English Channel and a hostile greeting by German antiaircraft guns and low flying clouds, Gus finally got the word to standup, hookup, and to jump into a violent night of detonating anti-aircraft shells, machinegun bullets and exploding airplanes.

Gus landed, assembled his rifle, and moved away from his parachute. A friendly paratrooper quickly challenged Gus and the two men joined up with a small group of Hq1 men and others.

Later, Gus met Staff Sergeant Raymond Hummel and followed him into what became “Hells Half Acre” where he was killed by a German armed with a Schmeiser machine pistol. 

Gus Labate was a courageous soldier he was entitled to:

·        Bronze Star Medal

·        Purple Heart Medal

·        European African Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations Medal

·        Invasion Arrowhead

·        Combat Infantry Badge

·        A Battle Star

·        Parachute Qualification Badge with star for combat jump (Normandy)

·        Presidential Unit Citation (awarded to the 508^th PIR for action during the period June 6-9 1944)

·        French Fourragere (awarded to the 508^th PIR for action during period June 6-20 June  !944)

·        Numerous defense medals including the European Victory Medal