Our Huddled Masses: Someone Famous

While shaking the old family tree to see what falls out you always hope for a hero or someone famous. The truth of the matter our tree won’t have any Revolutionary War or Civil War heroes as our ancestors weren’t in the United States at the time of those events. No D.A.R. for us.

Our hero came later. Was he famous? No, but a hero none-the-less. Our hero was Private First Class, James V. Petorella, Company I , 47th Infantry Regiment. James, born Innocenzo Vigenzo Americo Petorella on November 14, 1910, in Chicago, was my Uncle, my Mother’s brother.

The 1940 U.S. Census has James living at home and working as a gas station attendant. His father Domenico operated a gas station at the time. James married Betty Louise Mulhern on September 7, 1940. He was hired by the B & O Railroad in August of 1941 and worked there until he was furloughed for military duty In August 1943. While away at camp Betty gave birth to daughter Bette Jane on December 4, 1943. James was on furlough in March of 1944, when Bette was baptized. In June James was sent overseas.

The 47th Regiment landed on Utah Beach, Normandy on June 10, D-Day plus 4. Battle after battle the 47th pushed the Germans back. By June 16, the 47th had blocked the German escape route in the Contentin Pennisula, captured the Port of Cherbourg on June 28, joined the Battle of the Hedgerows on July 9, and went on to cross the Seine River by August 1944. The 47th would go on to fight other battles, but on August 10, 1944, our hero had fought his last at Villedieu les Poeles, Normandy, France.

A letter from the Company Chaplin reads as follows:

18 August 1944

Dear Mrs. Petorella,

I am writing to you at the request of the regimental commander to express our deepest sympathy at the death of your husband, Private First Class James V. Petorella, It is impossible for me to give you any more details regarding his death than those already transmitted to you by the War Department. However, I can say that Private First Class Petorella was killed while bravely performing his duty as a soldier. Also the he was given a proper religious burial with full military honors. Further information regarding the location of his grave will be forwarded to you in due time by the War Department. His personal effects are being sent to you through army channels.

Please know that this letter brings not only my sympathy and that of his regimental commander, but also that of Private First Class Petorella’s company commander, other officers, and his fellow soldiers. We share your loss, we mourn with you and remember both him and you in our prayers.

Sincerely yours,

Anthony F. Di Laura

Chaplain, 47th Infantry, Catholic

My Uncle’s body was brought back to Chicago and reinterred at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois