It was estimated that, during the two years of the war (1917–18), Italian-American servicemen made up approximately 12% of the total American forces, a disproportionately high percentage of the total.
Born on February 5, 1895, in Cassino, Italy, Valente immigrated to the United States and joined the Army in 1917 from Ogdensburg, New York.
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, War On Terror Veterans, Italian Americans Served
United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who was killed in action during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Over 1.5 million Italian-Americans served in the armed forces during World War II, amounting to some 10% of American soldiers in total. Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Gino Marchetti, Andy Robustelli, Edward J. DeBartolo, Frank Capra, Tony Bennett, Louis Zamperini, Rocky Marciano, Henry Mancini, Lou LaCivita
For actions during World War II, 472 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor. Fourteen ITAM's received the Medal of Honor. Italian Americans were the largest ethnic group to fight as far as the American military.
146 Medals of Honor Awarded Including
ITAM Medal of Honor Recipients
Reginald B. Desiderio - Clairton, Pennsylvania
Joseph Vittori- Beverly, Massachusetts
Italian Americans continued to serve with distinction in the military, with four Medal of Honor recipients in the Korean War Era
Joe Spanedda served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. Drafted in 55 he was trained for combat infantry and combat medical services at Camp Pickett in Virginia. Upon completing training, Joe was handed a carbine rifle and orders to be deployed to Korea. His orders were changed just prior to shipping out as the fighting ended on 27 July 1953, when the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Joe was then assigned to Fort Belvior, VA as a Ward master in the Hospital Prison Ward. Joe attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1955 with a good conduct medal. Joe is very proud of his service to our country.
Joe eventually became R.I. State Commander for the ITAM's and in 1990, while paying respects to a fallen comrade at the state cemetery, noticed the lack of an ITAM monument. A committee was formed to pursue a project for a stone, Joe, Dando DiManna, Antonio Alfano - PNC - Romano DelRossi and Chester Bruno. The group would seek out the Castelucci Granite Company for their guidance. Gerald Castelucci generously donated the granite stone to be cut and inscribed. 1991 saw Anthony Piccirilli became R.I. State Commander and he continued to support the venture. The monument was completed and dedicated at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery on July 12, 1992.
GREAT JOB TO JOE AND ALL
American involvement: 1 November 1955 – 27 January 1973
(17 years, 2 months, 3 weeks and 5 days)
BROTHERS IN ARMS
MANY CITIES THRU THE U.S. HAVE MEMORIALIZED THE VIETNAM VETS
11 MEDAL OF HONOR ITAM RECEPIENTS
including Vincent Capodanno, a Catholic chaplain.
With the addition of six names added in 2010 the total is now 58,272 names listed on the Memorial. Approximately 1200 of these are listed as missing (MIA's, POW's, and others). 8 women are listed on the wall, all nurses.
2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam
7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. M.L."Primo" Butera, Leo Citro, Leo Valle, Joe Morabito, George Coppola, Mike Kopay, Art Howcraft, Ed Blank, Ken Zola
There are two replica versions of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial that tour the United States regularly.
THE WALL THAT HEALS & THE MOVING WALL
More than 1.5 million military personnel were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2002 and 2007
TO DATE - 23 RECEPIENTS INCLUDING
Salvatore Augustine Giunta
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS
ATTEND THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN SYRACUSE, NY TO BE HELD AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN - 6004 FAIR LAKES RD, EAST SYRACUSE, NY
315-431-4800. SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $98.00 PER NIGHT, USE PROMO CODE "ITAM"
The Great New York State Fair is a 13-day showcase of agriculture, entertainment, education and technology. With midway rides, concessionaires, exhibits and concerts
We, the Mothers, Wives, Sisters, Nieces, Aunts and Daughters of the honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, having joined together in the formation and maintenance of the Italian American War Veterans of the United States Ladies Auxiliary, do formally and officially pledge our allegiance and loyalty, without any reservation whatsoever, to our Nation’s Constitution and Government and all of its subordinate units; to work for the betterment and care of our veterans, their spouses, widows, widowers, and dependents; to perpetuate the ideals of God and Country; and to engage in community, patriotic, and veterans’ work, beneficial to the citizenry at-large.
Our Motto:
If we cannot do good to a Sister – do her no harm.
The Field Daisy
Because you nod and smile in sun-drenched fields;
Because you are the eye of the day and known to all who live in these our States;
Because, by just the shadow that you cast, you keep the sun away from small dew drops;
Because you’re pure with stainless, spotless petals;
Because you have a heart of crimson, warm to us, you symbolize the simplicity, devotion and tenderness of the common things of life.
We take you as our flower; we look upon you with tears of pleasure; you are not denied by the poorest of us, and yet you are sought by the richest.
You speak with gentle whispers to the failing heart;
Can you see us? Do you know our thoughts?
As we place a flora tribute in our homes, are your eyes a-twinkle to make us gay?
Field-Daisy, lovely simple flower, you are ours,
No longer are you born to wither and die unnoticed;
We, mother of fighting men, have taken a sturdy, friendly hard flower as our emblem.
To watch you grow, to see you smile, will help me meet my God, because He devised your pattern and your color and your life.
Field-Daisy, you are ours, in meadows and fields.
Each friendly flower will remind us of one mother’s son, one splendid lad,
One friendly smiling boy, who wants his home, his friends, his peaceful life, his laughter, and his mother.
National President
Alice Crosetto, PNP
4125 W. Sylvania Avenue #18
Toledo, Ohio 43623
419.704.2906
alicecrosetto@gmail.com
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