Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Last Rank
Private
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Last Service Branch
Field Artillery
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Last Primary MOS
Artillery-Cannoneer
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Last MOS Group
Field Artillery (Enlisted)
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Primary Unit
1918-1919, 1st Battalion, 115th Field Artillery
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Service Years
1918 - 1919
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Foreign Language(s)
Italian
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home Country
 Italy | |
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Year of Birth 1895 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
John Prater (USN SCPO/E-8/Retired) -Family
to remember
Paterno, Giovanni (John), Pvt.
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Santa Nifa |
Last Address Vineland, New Jersey
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Date of Passing Dec 14, 1960 |
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Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, Virginia |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Secion 42 Site 921 |
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Last Known Activity
He was a Pepper Farmer in Vineland, New Jersey.
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Other Comments:
" Don't Take up with loose women , you'll get burnt " - John Paterno
My Uncle John Paterno's War Story
When I was a young boy my Uncle John told me a story from WWI. But now that I am getting up in years myself, I can't be sure if he was telling me about his brother, Henry, or his own experience. They were both in the Great War of 1918.
During WWI, my uncle was in combat; most likely with the field artillery. Sometimes there were spells of quiet, with not much to do, and rations were short. On a day such as this, my uncle stumbled upon a single cigarette in his breast pocket. He put the cigarette in his mouth and then searched for a match. After checking all his pockets and finding no matches, he asked his buddies, but they had not one match between them. He took a few drags on the dead cigarette, finding no gratification. Then he looked up to the sky and said, " God I do wish I had a match ." Knowing my uncle, he probably said this in Italian.
Then, he told me, he lowered his head to say a prayer. As he did, he notices a single, wooden match at his feet. Quickly he bent down to pick it up. At that moment Uncle John heard a shot ring out. It seams a sniper's shot just whizzed over his head and missed. Wasting no time he said a quick prayer of thanks.
Now, I never asked if he smoked that fateful cigarette. However, I will always be glad that God was watching over him and brought him home safe; for my life would have been less full, not having known him.
Richard L Paterno
Dec. 18 - 2008
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My Map
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1918-1918, Army Garrison, Fort Slocum, NY
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1918-1918, Army Garrison Fort Jackson, SC
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1918-1918, 30th Infantry Division
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1918-1919, 1st Battalion, 115th Field Artillery
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1919-1919, Army Garrison Fort Dix, NJ
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