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Contact Info
Home Town Santa Nifa
Last Address Vineland, New Jersey
Date of Passing Dec 14, 1960
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
" 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
1918-1918, 30th Infantry Division
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Best Friends Henry Paterno (Brother) Also in WWI at 120th Artillery
Best Moment September 29, 1918 at Bellicourt, France, the 30th Division smashed its way through the famed "Hindenburg Line" This was a victory that hastened the close of the war. Copy and Paste the below url for New York Times Article: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9904E4DB1531E433A2575BC1A96F9C946996D6CF
Chain of Command Assigned to: BTY E, 115TH Field Artillery Regiment of the 55th FA Brigade,
113th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm) 114th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm) 115th Field Artillery Regiment (155mm) 105th Trench Mortar Battery The 55th Field Artillery Brigade Here's to their memory--here's their Good Luck On from the General down to the Buck--On from Sevier to the last hills of France, Holding their drive through the final advance; St. Mihiel knew them--and when they were done On to the Argonne with caisson and gun, Taking each highway that led to the Hun! Slogging along through the mud and the flame, On to the finish still playing the game, Playing the game as the game should be played-- Here's to the 55th F. A. Brigade!--Grantland Rice (By permission of Lieut.-Colonel William J. Bacon, editor of the History of the 55th F. A. Brigade)
Other Memories On 18 July 1917 the National Guard units of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee were directed to form the 30th Division. The division was consolidated and trained at Camp Sevier, SC, from 25 August 1917 to 30 April 1918. Movement overseas completed by 25 June 1918. The bulk of the division (less artillery and ammunition train) served with the British.
