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. This entry is a special submission from Vinnie Palozzi in honor of his father. Born in Rochester, N.Y., Vincent A. Palozzi was the son of Italian immigrants who came from...

A 96-year-old retired American soldier has managed to make contact with the three Italian children from a photograph taken during world war two, 76 years after they posed with him in the Bologna area of northern Italy. The search began when Martin Adler asked his daughter Rachelle to try and track down the three children from the picture, taken in...

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. This entry is a special submission from NIAF Member Chris R. Vaccaro in honor of his grandfather. Robert Vaccaro, Chief Petty Officer 3rd Class, had a unique position as...

Downers Grove resident John Guarnaccia never expected to be honored at his home as a World War II Army veteran on Nov. 18. In the era of COVID-19, volunteers from Honor Flight Chicago traveled to Guarnaccia for his recognition as a veteran. “I was surprised,” Guarnaccia said. “They were all very nice, they drove three car caravans and they were too...

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. This entry is a special submission from Albert F. Marra dedicated to his father Frank Marra who lived until he was 102 years old and passed away recently from Covid-19. T...

Joseph Tollis, born Giuseppe Guido Tollis on November 19, 1921, was from Pacentro, L’Aquila, Abruzzo. He came to the United States in June 1937 to join his father, Pasquale Tollis, in Detroit, leaving his mother and three siblings behind. Upon turning 21, he was drafted into the army and selected to serve as an Italian interpreter when he was in ba...

It is the smallest among the 40 U.S Army cemeteries, but its significance looms large in the history of Fort Drum and the North Country. Members of the Fort Drum community gathered at the POW (Prisoners of War) Cemetery on Nov. 4 to place a wreath at the grave of Pvt. Rino Carlutti, an Italian service member and World War II veteran. Carlutti was b...

James Vincent Clemente was born on February 26, 1920 in Akron, Ohio, to Francesco and Vita Clemente in the all-Italian neighborhood of North Hill. He grew up there until graduating from North High School. Before going off to serve, he got married and had a son. He was inducted into the service in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 9, 1942. He served...

Even before he watched American soldiers drive the Nazis from his Italian village, Rocco Blasi dreamed of living in the United States. "It was something I wanted so badly. It becomes so much a part of you," remembers Blasi, who made good on his dreams by becoming a member of the U.S. Army, a college professor, a founder and early president of the A...

November is dedicated to the men and women of the armed services who have played a role in protecting our nation and safeguarding its future. On Memorial Day, we remember all of those service members who gave their lives for our country. On Veterans Day, we honor all those who served in any capacity. All veterans have stories about their time in se...