Gerald A. Campetella

Gerald A. Campetella was born in Connecticut on August 24, 1918. He was drafted into the Army
on September 8, 1941 at Hartford, Connecticut. His home of residence was listed as Norwalk,
Fairfield County, Connecticut and his civilian occupation was listed as Unskilled Occupations
In Manufacture Of Boots And Shoes. He had completed one year of High School and at the time
of induction was single with no dependents. His religion was listed as Catholic.

He married his wife Rosemarie at some time after entering the Army, and in September 1943 his son was born.

Gerald A. Camptella and his wife Rosemarie

courtesy of Théophile Odaert

Private Campetella was killed in action in France during the attack toward Cherbourg
on June 18, 1944.

Newspaper article announcing the death of
Private Gerald A. Campetella

By jeffd1121 from the
Find A Grave website

Gerald A. Campetella was buried in the temporary U.S. Military Cemetery
Sainte Mere-Eglise #1 at Carentan, France in Block N Row 6 Grave 102 and was moved to the permanent
cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, in the 1947-1949 time frame, when the temporary cemeteries were shut down.

Burial:
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Colleville-sur-Mer
Departement du Calvados
Basse-Normandie, France
Plot B Row 20 Grave 46

Grave marker for

Gerald A. Campetella

Photo by

John Tomawski

and

Andreia Lino

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November 2017, two members of the association Deeds Not Words went to Normandy.

They crossed the Contentin, from Utah Beach to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Poupeville, Azeville Batterie, Crisbecq …

But the most emotional, rewarding, unforgettable moment was the meeting with Campetella’s family at Colleville cemetery.

Théophile adopted a soldier’s grave. This soldier, Gerald Anthony Campetella, was from the 22nd regiment, 4th Infantry.
Théophile contacted one of the descendant of Gerald A. Campetella, and they met, on the 26th November at Colleville cemetery,
Gerald M. Campetella and one of his sons, Joe.

No words adequately describes the emotions near the meeting point, Gerald. A Campetella’s grave.
During one hour, they were given ample opportunity to get to know one another and regrettably our paths separated …

Left, Gerald M. Campetella the son of Gerald A. Campetella - right, Théophile O.
At the grave of Gerald A. Campetella in Normandy November 2017.

Left, Gerald M. Campetella - right, Théophile O.
At the grave of Gerald A. Campetella in Normandy November 2017.
Théophile has adopted the grave of Private Gerald A. Campetella.
Théophile lives inWattignies, France.