 |
Anthony Vecchiolla was born in New York in 1920. In Rye his family lived at 124 Maple Ave. He lived with his Father, Micheal Vecchiolla, his Mother, Lucia Vecchiolla, his many younger brothers, Daniel, Leonard, Micheal Jr, John Vecchiolla, and one Sister, Laura Vecchiolla. The home they lived in cost $4,000 ($76,000 in today’s dollars). The Mother and Father were both born in Italy, while all the children were born in New York.
Growing up in Rye, he graduated in the class of 1939 in Rye High School, where he was a part of the Fingerprints Club, Driver’s Club, Boxing Club, Junior Coach, Golf Team, and Track. His Senior Quote was: “ Beware the fury of a patient man. “
After Graduating, he served in the United States Army during World War II in Europe.
Anthony served with the 103rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 28th Infantry Division. On December 6th 1944 the 28th Division was suddenly attacked by nine German Divisions, this attack was the opening phase of what would become The Battle of the Bulge
 The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, was a major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II which took place from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945. It was launched through the densely forested Ardennes region between Belgium and Luxembourg towards the end of the war in Europe. The offensive was intended to stop Allied use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to split the Allied lines, allowing the Germans to encircle and destroy the four Allied forces and cause the Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis powers' favor.
The German's named the 28th Division, The Bloody Bucket Division The nickname "bloody bucket division" was given to the 28Th Division because of the many battles they fought during the Second World War.
They got the nickname from German soldiers after the bloody
Battle for the Hurtgen Forest. The German soldiers gave the 28th Division this nickname because the red keystone shoulder patch reminded them of a “blutiger Eimer” bloody bucket.
A shoulder patch is an embroidered shoulder emblem, worn on some military uniforms of the U.S. Army.
In January 1945 a War Department telegram was received by Anthony's mother, stating Anthony had been missing in action as of December 22, 1944. It was later learned he had been taken prisoner and was a German POW. Anthony would be promoted to sergeant and receive four bronze stars for valor for his service.
After the war Anthony worked for John Hancock Insurance Company. He was also a parishioner of the Corpus Christi Church and was a usher and a member of the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Port Chester American Legion. He loved swimming and enjoyed spending time at Oakland Beach. He enjoyed golf and ballroom dancing. He was known to his nieces and nephews as Unc.
Anthony Vecchiolla passed away on 8/13/2008, he was survived by his longtime friend and companion Terry Gareri of Harrison, NY, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Daniel, Michael, John and Leonard Vecchiolla and sister Laura Spaulding.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday August 16, 2008 at Corpus Christi Church 136 South Regent St. Port Chester, NY. Interment to followed at St. Mary's Cemetery Rye Brook, NY.
-Matthew Franco
|
|
|
Father and a uncles wwll 
