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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
1918-1919, 1st Battalion, 115th Field Artillery
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Chain of Command This suppose to be 115th Field Artillery Regiment from the 30th Infantry Division during WW1.
Other Memories Battles:
Toul Sector, France, Aug. 25-Sept. 11, 1918
St. Mihiel Offensive, Sept. 12-Sept. 16, 1918
Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Sept. 26-Oct. 8, 1918
Woevre Sector, Oct. 1 1-Nov. 8, 1918
Second Army Offensive, Nov. 9-Nov. 11, 1918
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)
