Original WW2 Era Letter typed by member of the 101st Airborne Division.

[Heartfeltzero]

This letter was written by Vincent G. Demartino. Vincent served with the 327th Glider infantry regiment within the 101st Airborne Division , Company “G” during WW2. The letter is postmarked December 27th 1942 but was typed on Christmas Day. It was typed while he was at Fort Bragg, NC. The 101st Airborne trained at Fort Bragg before going overseas to England. Vincent served in Combat from D-Day throughout the Normandy Campaign (where he was wounded by a German Mortar), Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge where he and the rest of the 101st were encircled at Bastogne(he also developed trench foot while there), and then through Austria/Germany in 1945. After leaving Germany in 1945, he recovered from his war time wounds at a Medical Hospital at Camp Butner, NC before being Honorably Discharged. Letter from my collection.

[Willmore]

Hi there.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

I was interested to see if I could find any information about Vincent.

Vincent G Demartino in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010

Name: Vincent George Demartino
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 20 March 1921
Death Date: 19 May 1995
Enlistment Branch: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 25 September 1942
Discharge Date: 9 August 1945

[Willmore]

Vincent Demartino in the 1930 United States Federal Census

Name: Vincent Demartino
Birth Year: abt 1921
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 9
Birthplace: New York
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, USA
Map of Home: Syracuse, Onondaga, New York
Street Address: Gerhardt Ave
Ward of City: 2
Block: 141
House Number: 108
Dwelling Number: 132
Family Number: 253
Attended School: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Italy
Mother's Birthplace: Italy
Household Members
Name Age Relationship
Michael Demartino 42 Head
Fannie Demartino 38 Wife
Joseph Demartino 15 Son
Vincent Demartino 9 Son

Father -
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Italy
Language Spoken: Italian
Immigration Year: 1912
Naturalization: Alien
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Shoemaker
Industry: Shoe Shop
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes

Mother -
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Mother's Birthplace: Italy
Language Spoken: Italian
Immigration Year: 1913
Naturalization: Alien
Able to Speak English: Yes

I would guess that when Vincent asks if Joe and Nellie came for Christmas, he was refering to his brother.

[Willmore]

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 for Vincent George De Martino

Name: Vincent George De Martino
Race: White
Age: 20
Birth Date: 20 March 1921
Birth Place: Syracuse, New York
Residence Place: Syracuse, Onon, New York
Registration Date: 16 Febuary 1942
Registration Place: Syracuse, New York, USA
Employer: Halcomb Steel Co State Fair Blvd. Syracuse, N Y
Height: 5''-9"
Weight: 180
Complexion: Ruddy
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mrs Fanny De Martino


Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Very interesting stuff, thank you!

[Willmore]

No worries.

I had a quick look in the hope of finding a photo of Vincent, but unfortunately nothing could be found. I did find some information about Joe and Nellie who were mentioned in the letter. Joe (Joseph) is his brother and Nellie is his brothers wife.

Joseph R Demartino in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

Name: Joseph R Demartino
Race: White
Age: 26
Birth Date: 17 September 1914
Birth Place: Syracuse, New York
Residence Place: Utica, Oneida, New York
Registration Date: 16 October 1940
Registration Place: Bridgewater, Oneida, New York, USA
Employer: R J Reynolds Co
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 200lbs
Complexion: Dark
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mrs Nellie P Demartino

Joseph didn't serve during the war and by 1950 (according to the 1950 census) he and Nellie had a son, Michael who was 9 in 1950. Joseph passed away in June 1981.

[Heartfeltzero]

Thanks!