Pasquinucci, John E., Cpl

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?

Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

John Pasquinucci enlisted in the Army Air Corps because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 1941. He was loyal to his country, and it was the right thing to do during this time in our country's history. I am sure all of the major cities, and even smaller populated areas looked similar to the picture. Long lines of men & women wanting to sign up for military service.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?

Hard at Work

I am not familiar with the process for military assignments at the time, but Johnny was a Clerk Typist. He was very particular and accurate with his record keeping process. He was responsible for keeping all records of his unit for every theater of operations.
Looking through Johnny's things, I found an article from the "Mosquito." "Capt. Milton P. Warner is the statistical Officer; Lt. Philip A. Small, Assistant Stat Officer; and Corp. John E. Pasquinucci serves in the capacity of clerk. The importance and speedy stat figures and reports has been enlarged tremendously since the early days of the war in the air, and it stands now as one of the big jobs, playing an ultra-role in progressive military flying".

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.

Soldiers Medal Award

Receiving the Soldiers Medal. John was reserved about this. Something he was reluctant to talk about, however, his family was extremely proud of this award. Saving a pilot whose P-47 had crashed upon landing. Throughout his entire life, John always had a huge heart. He may have had an idea that the pilot did not survive. However, John could not let that deter him from completing this ultimate task of trying to save a human life.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?

79th Fighter Group Patch

I will say without a doubt, Italy, was his most favorite. John was an American with Italian Descent. While stationed in Malta, From John's diary, "June 29, 1943, Put ad in paper to find Eva's relatives." On July 1, 1943, John was able locate and meet the family of Eva Fenech, his bride to be. His least was North Africa. The conditions that were endured were difficult to say the least. During the summer months, there was intense heat, flies, that would bite, scorpions, and limited showers.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.

John in Italy

John enjoyed helping anyone he could. But what gave him more pride was helping the local people in Italy. He was an Italian with a giant heart. John would give away his rations to many of the local people. He was directed not to do this, however, he did continue and was later demoted from sergeant to corporal. He did this without regret.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?

Soldiers Medal

Soldiers Medal: The citation reads; For Heroism, On 11 January 1945, when a P-47 crashed in the dispersal area at Fano Airfield, Italy, the impact killed the pilot and the aircraft immediately burst into flames. Despite the intense heat and danger from exploding ammunition, Corporal Pasqcinucci made his way through the flames and with the aid of a comrade removed the fatally injured pilot from the cockpit. His selfless devotion to duty in the face of great hazard, reflects highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. John was reserved about this. Something he was reluctant to talk about, however, his family was extremely proud of this award.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?

John (top) German Fighter

What man wouldn't want their picture taken that involved an enemy aircraft. During War, people sometimes block out all of the brutal hardships and inhumane actions. So given an opportunity, why not take advantage.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?

John & Eva, May 1942

Eva Fenech. A very beautiful young woman, whom he married in 1945.
One very good service buddy was Jack Bruno.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?

Johnny in Italy

My wife has her fathers war diary. I found a story from August 1943. John and a buddy, Jack Bruno, went to town one evening. "Boy what swell looking gals we met. Jack and I talked to them, but we later found out that they worked in a house. So-oo we just left them there."

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?

Johns Shadow Box

Carpenter. Johns father, Tomcredi Pasquinucci was a ship builder in San Francisco, California. So it was in his blood. John became a very good carpenter after his service in the Army Air Corps. He helped people in the remodeling of their homes, one in particular, Shirley Temple Black.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?

1975 Reunion, 414th Signal Co.

414th Signal Co. Attended several reunions.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?

P-47 Thunderbolt, 79th Fighter Group

While in the military, all of his achievements were earned. Nothing was given to John. While stationed in Italy, He was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. In May of 1945, John was sent home and given an early Honorable Discharge. He was classified as 100% disabled, and was not expected to live very long. So he appreciated every day that he lived. He and Eva decided to get married. Already being on a small budget, raising a family, the small budget became even smaller.
John was very religious. He became involved in his church, becoming a proud member, and later Leader, (Grand Knight) of The Knights of Columbus. This led to his commitment to his community involvement. In his spare time, he was always helping the local schools in his town with projects. Miraculously Johns Cancer went into remission and he had a very proud life.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?

WWII Lapel Pin

Work hard. Get your education. Don't take Life for granted. Savor each day. Always be loyal to your friends and family.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

John with Friends, Italy

This is what Johnny would appreciate the most. This has allowed me to bring John full circle. John was, as was the case with most all WWII Veterans, reluctant to talk about their time during the war. When a neighbor came back from Vietnam, this was the first time that John listened to his neighbor talk about the war, and he too spoke of his encounters for the first time.