World War II Honoree

Vincent D'Arinzo

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Stamford, Connecticut

Honored By

Jeffrey Autrey

Relationship

Grandson

SERVED IN THE 97TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON OF THE 440TH TROOP CARRIER GROUP. HE WAS THE RADIO MAN ON A C-47 AIRCRAFT DROPPING PARATROOPERS AND SUPPLIES IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE LEFT HIGH SCHOOL BEFORE GRADUATION TO ENLIST IN THE AIR CORPS, AND WAS SENT TO ALLIANCE, OKLAHOMA FOR FLIGHT SCHOOL. AFTERWARDS, HIS SQUADRON WAS SENT TO ENGLAND ON 14 MARCH 1944 AND HE SUBSEQUENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN OPERATIONS IN ITALY, FRANCE, AND HOLLAND AS PART OF D-DAY AND OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN UPON RETURN FROM DROPPING TROOPS AND THE CREW HAD TO BAIL. HE TRAVELED OVERLAND IN THE COLD BY NIGHT FOR 11 DAYS TO GET BACK TO ALLIED LINES. HE REMAINED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER UNTIL RETURNING 04 DECEMBER 1945.