A well-known Pajaro Valley name contributed one of their members to the war effort.

William John Crosetti was born in Watsonville in 1926 to John and Dina Crosetti.

William had two sisters, Grace and Marie Crosetti, a half sister, Nora Bertone, along with three stepbrothers, Roy, Tony and Louis Bertone. Crosetti attended local schools including two years at Watsonville High School. After leaving school, he worked at Coast Line Truck Services.

William Crosetti enlisted in the US Army on September 18, 1944, and was assigned to the Infantry branch. Following his basic and advanced infantry training, he was shipped to the Pacific Theater. While his individual unit has not been identified, it is believed to have been a component of the 1st Cavalry Division.

A wire received by Mrs. Dina Crosetti on May 18, 1945, from the war department informed her that her son, Private William John Crosetti, was killed in action on Luzon on April 27, 1945. The limited enemy activity occurring on Luzon on that date suggests that he may have lost his life near Irisan Gorge, the assault on Baguio, or in action in the Bicol province.

Crosetti's burial location is not known; however, it is likely that his remains were returned to the US following the war.

(NARA2; WRP May 19, 1945 1:5)