World War II Honoree

John R. Armellino

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

West New York, New Jersey

Honored By

John McNamara

Relationship

Nephew

A GRADUATE OF NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY. HE WAS A STUDENT AT VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WHEN HE ENTERED WWII AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT IN THE U.S. ARMY, 16TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION. HE WAS A VETERAN OF THE ALGERIAN, FRENCH MOROCCAN, TUNISIAN AND SICILIAN CAMPAIGNS AND HIS UNIT WAS FAMED IN THE 1ST DIVISION FOR ITS SKILL AND SUCCESS IN THE FIELD. HE WAS THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF COMPANY L, ONE OF EIGHT COMPANIES TO LAND ON OMAHA BEACH IN THE INITIAL COMBAT WAVE OF THE NORMANDY INVASION. HE LOST HIS RIGHT LEG AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED ON D-DAY. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY DECORATED VETERANS IN THE COUNTRY, WITH A LIST OF CITATIONS THAT INCLUDES THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, THE SILVER STAR WITH TWO 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 FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A MAJOR IN 1946.