A while back, we did a post on Italian American’s in WWII, based on two videos that my uncle Tom made with his grandson. My good friend John called me after reading in and told me the story about his Grandfather Frank Imperiale who served in WWI. I knew that both my grandfather’s had to register for the draft after coming to America, but I really hadn’t given much thought to Italian American’s that served in Europe.
There’s not a lot of information about Italian Americans in WWI, this is what we have found so far.
Frank Imperiale’s family was originally notified that he was KIA and that was reported in the the first edition of the Brooklyn Eagle on Oct 1 1918. Below is the corrected version of his story from a later edition that same day. The featured photo at the top is Private Frank Imperiale
Brooklyn Eagle Oct 1 1918
Medal of Honor recipient Michael Valente
Sept 27, 1929
There was one Italian American Medal of Honor recipient Michael Valente. This is his citation from the National Medal of Honor Museum.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy during the operations against the Hindenburg line, east of Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. Finding the advance of his organization held up by a withering enemy machinegun fire, Pvt. Valente volunteered to go forward. With utter disregard of his own personal danger, accompanied by another soldier, Pvt. Valente rushed forward through an intense machinegun fire directly upon the enemy nest, killing 2 and capturing 5 of the enemy and silencing the gun. Discovering another machinegun nest close by which was pouring a deadly fire on the American forces, preventing their advance, Pvt. Valente and his companion charged upon this strong point, killing the gunner and putting this machinegun out of action. Without hesitation they jumped into the enemy’s trench, killed 2 and captured 16 German soldiers. Pvt. Valente was later wounded and sent to the rear.
Draft Documents of Italian Americans
Frank Imperiale
My grandfather Ubaldo Sorrentino. He was not drafted, I suspect because he had 3 children at the time. Or possibly that he was already 35 years old.
Cyndi’s list of WWI records
WWI Index ( list of record websites )
Family Search WWI records search
Coat of Arms of the Italian Army Alpini Regiment
The photo on the left is Mario Luigi Basso from Liguria, who later settled in the US. He is also in the front row with the hat on his knee. The Alpini regiment distinguished themselves fighting Austria’s Kaiserjager and Germany’s Alpenkorps. Many thanks to Louis Basso for providing these photos.
Joseph Muraglia
Joseph Muraglia USA Calvary. He guarded German POW’s and was discharged in 1919. He became a US citizen in 1923. Thanks to his daughter Anna for the photos.
Naturalization Papers
Enlistment Record
Discharge
Italian Migration To America
There were several reasons for Italian Migration To America. Poverty, natural disasters, unification and political corruption to name a few. After unification, the Northern Italians dominated the government. The Southern Italians were considered lower class and were highly taxed and exploited. While there are many many articles and books written about Italian Migration to America, this a a brief encapsulation. However, I do provide some links for those who want to pursue further. From Digital
Italian-American Service in WWII
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New York City Italian Families
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