US WW-2 AIRBORNE

 US Airborne - WWII

The story of Dominic T. Biello, KIA Belgium in WW II

The mother, born in Filignano (CB) on April 12, 1883, was identified (she had all the numerous children involved in the world conflict) as one of the “ mothers symbol of the war sacrifice ”

FILIGNANO (CB) – When Maria Anna Manzella left, together with her sister Jacinta, Filignano to chase the “ American dream ” she certainly did not imagine becoming years later, one of the symbols of the “ mothers symbol of the war sacrifice ”. Maria Anna was born in Filignano (IS) on April 12, 1883 to Giacomo and Antonia Franchitti.

In 1901 he embarked, together with his sister Jacinta, born on October 1, 1881, on the “ Gascony ” destination “ Ellis Island ”. Difficult to trace a lot of data about her. She certainly married the Italian-American Michele Biello who was in born in Montedurini. They had numerous children (7 served in US Armed Forces). At the outbreak of the Second World War the Biello family found themselves having to offer an incredibly and painful contribution: all the children of “ mom ” Maria Anna (in the United States sometimes became Marion or Mariana or Marianne) were called to serve the United States Army.

Filignano's brave mother saw her boys leave one by one. He certainly cried and prayed for them. Then the war ended. Maria Anna saw them all back. All but one. Dominic T. was dead, serving the US military, in Rahier near Liège in Belgium. The boy was born in 1920 in Pennsylvania. On February 18, 1942 he entered “ Foot George G. Meade ” in Maryland for a tough training course. At the outbreak of the Second World War he was sent to Europe and served in the 2nd Battalion, Company D, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

He participated in the “ Invasion of Sicily ” and subsequently the battles for Salerno and Anzio. Later he was also engaged in Operation “ Market Garden ” . Then, on December 26, 1944, during the Ardennes offensive at Rahier, in a risky operation, he shot in the head by an enemy sniper.

The news was given by his Sergeant Harold N. Dunnegan and in the minutes, drawn up on January 2, 1945, it was specified that the body of poor Dominic T. had remained in the sector occupied by the enemy. In a subsequent report we read “ We believe we have found the remains of Dominic T. Biello. But definitive identification cannot be done.

Comparison with fingerprints ” is requested. Some time passed before definitive identification was reached. The following awards went to the brave Molise boy: “ Purple Heart ”; “ Combat Infantryman Badge ”; "Bronze Star “ American Campaign Medal ” and the “ World War II Victory Medal ”. Dominic T. Biello's body rests in the American military cemetery “ Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery ” in Belgium.

Edited by Geremia Mancini – Honorary President “ Hunger Ambassadors ”