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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative. This entry is a special submission from Richard Stangarone, in honor of his mother Mary Jane Leggero Stangarone. Mary...

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Just over 76 years after kamikaze pilots nearly sank the USS Bunker Hill, the aircraft carrier he was serving on, Frank Petriello was feted Thursday in his adopted hometown of Clifton.  Petriello, who turned 100 in March, represents the fewer than 9,000 living New Jersey World War II veterans, members of what journalist Tom Brokaw dubbed "The Great...

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A Salute to Italian American Veterans on the 75th Anniversary of the Veterans Monument at Arrigo Park (Chicago, IL) will take place Sunday, May 30, 2021. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) along with the Italian American Veterans Museum, and the Italian American War Veterans, will honor four World War II Veterans as part of the...

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While stationed in Italy at the end of his military career, retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Ruffolo helped an RAF officer find the grave of a grandfather who gave his life while storming Monte Cassino during World War II. Prior to my retirement from the U.S. Army, my last military assignment was to the United States Diplomatic Mission to Italy in 2012...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative.  This entry is a special submission from Joanne LaTorre Anderson in honor of her late father. Joseph (Giuseppe) LaTor...

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A Valley WWII Army veteran celebrated her birthday in style this year. Friends and family held a birthday parade Wednesday to honor Stella Srgo who turned 100 years old. As if that isn't incredible enough, Stella served as a drill sergeant and air raid warden in the Army, and also worked as a civilian in a factory making parts for the military. Ste...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative.  This entry is a special submission from Jim Marchio in honor of his late father. Petty Officer 3rd Class Albert N. M...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative. This entry is a special submission from Michael A. Montopoli, MD, MPH, FACOEM, CAPT USN (Ret), in honor of his late f...

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The State of Mississippi and City of Vicksburg honored five Italians who were lynched just across the Mississippi River in Tallulah, La., on July 20, 1899. Five Italian men who owned grocery stores in town, were seized by a mob of local residents and publicly hanged. The men honored are Giuseppe Di Fatta, Francesco Di Fatta, Pasquale Di Fatta, Giov...

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With crisply starched fatigues, World War II veteran and 101st Airborne Division patches fixed on his uniform, paratrooper boots glistening, Private First Class (PFC) Vince Speranza marvels at the thrilling twist his life took in his mid-80s. Now 95, the veteran, retired history teacher, widower, father and grandfather, has a popular book called Nu...

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