World War II Honoree

Joseph Anthony Cella

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE ENTERED THE ARMY IN 1943, AND WAS ASSIGNED TO IRAN BECAUSE OF HIS PLUMBING SKILLS. ALTHOUGH OFFICIALLY NEUTRAL, IRAN HAD AXIS SYMPATHIES AND, IN 1941, BRITISH AND SOVIET TROOPS INVADED. THE MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO SECURE IRANIAN OIL FIELDS, WHICH THE ALLIES FEARED WOULD END UP IN GERMAN HANDS. AFTER AMERICA ENTERED THE WAR, THE ARMY USED MEN LIKE HIM TO WORK ON THE IRANIAN PIPELINES TO KEEP THE OIL FLOWING TO ALLIED FORCES. HE ROSE TO THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT.