World War II Honoree

John Ralph Armellino

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

West New York, New York

Honored By

McVMI 1943

HE ATTENDED THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE ENTERING THE U.S. ARMY AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT WITH THE 16TH INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION. HE WAS A VETERAN OF THE ALGERIA-FRENCH MOROCCAN, TUNISIAN AND SICILIAN CAMPAIGNS. HE WAS COMMANDING OFFICER OF COMPANY L, ONE OF THE 8 COMPANIES TO LAND ON OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY. HE LOST HIS RIGHT LEG IN THIS ASSAULT. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, THE SILVER STAR WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE BRONZE STAR, THE PURPLE HEART, A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE FRENCH FOURRAGERE IN THE COLORS OF THE CROIX DE GUERRE. HE RETIRED AS A MAJOR IN 1946.