World War II Honoree

Joseph Anthony Culotta

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Pamela Culotta DiPiazza

Relationship

Daughter

HE ENTERED THE SERVICE AT CAMP CROFT, SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1941. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1941, HE WAS SENT TO FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY AND ASSIGNED TO THE 44TH DIVISION, 114TH INFANTRY, M COMPANY. AS A STAFF SERGEANT, HE WAS STATIONED AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON. THEN, REDEPLOYMENT TO GUARD THE COAST LINE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, TO THE CANADIAN BORDER AND THROUGHOUT THE PUGET SOUND, IN 1942. HE GUARDED BOEING AIRCRAFT PLANTS AND MCCORD AIR FORCE BASE. IN 1943, HE PARTICIPATED IN LOUISIANA MANEUVERS AFTER TRAINING AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON. IN MAY OF 1944, HE WAS SHIPPED TO CAMP PHILLIPS, KANSAS FOR STAGING. THAT SAME YEAR, HE WAS SHIPPED TO CAMP MILES STANDISH, MASSACHUSETTS FROM WHICH HE LEFT FOR THE EUROPEAN FRONT. AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT WITH THE 44TH DIVISION, 114TH INFANTRY, M COMPANY, 81-MM MORTARS, HE PARTICIPATED IN BATTLES IN NORTHERN FRANCE, THE RHINELAND, THE ARDENNES, ALSACE, AND CENTRAL EUROPE. HE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES IN JULY 1945 FOR REDEPLOYMENT TO THE PACIFIC, BUT THE WAR ENDED AND HE WAS DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 1, 1945.