Hi JoeC, do a google search 717th tank battalion and the 3 best websites are (717th tank battalion record) approx page 6 on website digicom.bpl.lib and (history 717th tank battalion 1 Jan 1945-31 july 1945) on website cgcs.contentdm and (File:717th tankpic wikimediacommons) on website commons ...

My father was in the 717th tank battalion with Vito. They were in different companies and did not know the other. The battalion yearbook lists vito's death but no other information. There are reports available online on the 717 if you are interested.