Please help

[Ww2needhelp]

I'm looking for a gentleman who would have been a small boy, probably around 10 years old give or take a few years either way who grew up in Italy during World War 2. I'm told he and his family were from Naples, but 2 other possibilities would be Molfetta or Bari. A unit of American GIs who were stationed there at the time became particularly close to this young man and his family, looking after him, protecting him, giving him the food they had, anything they could. Some of the men I believe would come and stay with his family etc. I believe the young mans father passed away some time during this time period or shortly thereafter. Several years after the war the young man, grown up now surprised this small group of aging veterans of this unit by showing up to one of their reunions many years ago. With most of the veterans deceased and the remaining in their 90s there hasn't been a reunion since at least the 80's so it was very hard coming up with his name, but one veteran who was particularly close to the family says his name was antonio mozzuto. He was living in akron, ohio last anyone knew, was in the construction industry and he had married a girl from Kentucky. If anyone knows who this could be fantastic! But since I know it's doubtful can someone at least tell me any proper Italian spellings of the last name that sounds like mozzuto? Possibly mossuto, mosuto, mossuto, mascuto, etc... Any help someone could give or pointed in another direction to get help would be great!

[MauroMags]

I have some familiarity with Molfetta and the only common last names (from Molfetta) that resemble "Mozzuto" would be:

Mazzocca, Mazzola, Mezzena or Mezzina...

And most Molfettesi immigrants settled in North Jersey after WWII not in Ohio, although of course there is always the possibility... thats my two cents

[Ww2needhelp]

I have a little more info on the name and details about the family if this helps anyone point me in the right direction. The first info I posted was relayed by the veterans Grandaughter but after speaking with him directly this is what i have. The name actually sounds like matuto or matutio. The family was from terlizzi which I think is a part of Bari? He pronounced it terlichi so I assume since they were stationed in Bari that must be how terlizzi is pronounced. The boy was in his early teens at the time and most of the men paid antonio to cut their hair. He had 2 sisters one who's name was rosa and te father on his death bed took off his wedding ring from his finger and gae it to this soldier and begged him to make sure he was taken care of got to america. The soldier has lived with the guilt his whole life that he never had te money to bring him home but would love to return to him his mothers wedding ring. The soldier I'd 93 and doesn't have much time. Please help! He was living in akron when he came to a reunion and working in construction. He'd married a grk from Kentucky. Hope this helps!!

[Ww2needhelp]

Please excuse any typos I've made from this stupid iPhone. If I've made this any more confusing that it already was without my terrible typing on this thing please let me know anything that need clarified. Also can someone verify to me that terlizzi is pronounced terlichi? Also is terlizzi a part of bari like we have states and counties or are they seperate cities? Is Molfetta also a part of bari if the First question is yes?