SOLVAY GOES TO WAR

HOME • FAMILY • YESTERDAY • SOLVAY • STARSTRUCK • MIXED BAG

Most of the information below was gleaned from War Department announcements that appeared in the Syracuse Herald-Journal. Some of the servicemen and women listed on these pages did not live in Solvay or the town of Geddes, but in neighborhoods associated more with the village than with the city of Syracuse where their homes were located. I've corrected what I believe were spelling errors, particularly in regard to names. However, I'm sure errors remain. To correct them or to add people I inadvertently overlooked, contact me at the email address at the bottom of the page. — JACK MAJOR

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Pvt. Vincent Paci was among those former Solvay students who lost their lives while in uniform during World War 2. Little is known about Paci except he and several hundred other soldiers lost their lives in what is considered one of the biggest blunders of the war, an event the military did not fully disclose for many years.

Lorenzo Paini Jr. of 1721 Milton Avenue, Solvay, was inducted into the Marines in May 1944. He was better known as Lawrence A. Paini and he retired from General Motors Corporation and moved to Florida, where he died in 1995 at the age of 77.

His brother, Delfino P. Paini, a Solvay native, also served during World War 2, in the Army. He retired as a foreman after 38 years with Allied Chemical. He was a resident of Fairmount at the time of his death in 1987. He was 70. Surviving are his wife, the former Rose Russo; two sisters, Ernestine Emanuelli and Marcellina Latone, both of Fairmount, and brother, Lawrence of Leesburg, Fla.; along with several nieces and nephews.

Robert M. Palladine Sr. of Solvay, who died in 2008 at the age of 83, served in World War 2 as a member of the U. S. Coast Guard. Before his retirement in 1985, Palladine was vice president and sales manager of Syracuse Barber and Beauty Supply.

Frank Joseph Palladino, 907 Cogswell Avenue, Solvay, has been inducted into the armed services. (5/29/41)

He was a sergeant at the time of his discharge in February, 1946.

Anthony J. Palladino, 907 Cogswell Avenue, Solvay, has been accepted for induction into the armed services. (11/10/42)

Pfc. Anthony J. Palladino, brother of Mrs. Carmella Hughes of 907 Cogswell Avenue, Solvay, was wounded in Italy. (12/14/44)

Anthony J. Palladino died in 2010 at the age of 91. He was living in Fayetteville at the time. He was twice wounded in the war and was a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart. After the war he worked as a liner and decorator for Iroquois China, later Syracuse China.

Dominic "Tom" Palladino, 83, of Camillus, died in 1999. A Solvay native, he was an Army veterann of World War 2, then worked 15 years for New York Central Railroad and 20 years for Carrier Corp. He was survived by his wife, the former Eda Kuss, and four sons, Robert, Thomas, Peter and Gary.

Peter F. Palladino, a Solvay native who spent the last half of his life in Baldwinsville, was an Army veteran of World War 2. He owned Palladino's Collision in North Syracuse and was an avid race car driver. He died in 2011 at the age of 83.

Rev. Eugene Palma, 90, of Solvay, died at home in February, 2008. Born in Chicago, he grew up in Solvay and was an Army veteran of World War 2. He received a master's degree in theology and spent time in missionary work in Italy. He also taught art at Oneida High School and at the college level.

Pfc. John Paniketti of Solvay has been liberated from a German prison camp. The soldier had been reported missing in action since March 16

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cesare Paniketti of 102 Gillis Strreet, have received a letter dated March 30 from their son, telling them he had been released by the advance of Allied Armies and is in a repatriation center behind the American lines. He says he is safe and well. He was an infantryman with the First Army.

Pfc. Paniketti, 19, was graduated from Solvay High School in 1943. Before he was inducted in April, 1944, he was employed by the General Electric Company. He had his infantry training at Camp Wheeler and Camp Pickett and went overseas last October. He was in at least one major engagement and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge in the Battle of the Bulge. (4/18/45)

Sgt. Pat Pannetti, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pannetti, 401 King Avenue, Solvay, is serving with the Army as an airplane mechanic in North Africa. Before going overseas he served at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hollywood and Grand Dale in California, and Fort Dix. He then went to England prior to the African invasion. Sergeant Pannetti was former manager of the Solvay Drum and Bugle Corps. (5/18/43)

Patrick N. Pannetti died in 2008 at the age of 97. He was an electrician for the Solvay Electric Department for 40 years. He was a past president of the Solvay Tigers AC, a longtime coach in the Solvay Tigers Little League, and past president of the Geddes Veterans.

Syracuse Herald-Journal, March 25, 1945
With the 24th Infantry (Victory) Division in the Philippines — Encircled by crack Jap marines, Pfc. Chenerino B. Parisi of 208 Lamont Avenue, Solvay, experienced a harrowing three days of Jap deviltry during one of the most crucial phases of the Philippine campaign.

Hiding in tall grass, the Japs allowed Parisi’s platoon to climb a ridge before they encircled the Americans and cut them off from their battalion.

“Toward 2 o’clock in the morning,” related Pvt. Parisi, “the Japs attacked our hastily setup perimeter and opened up with knee mortars, hand grenades and machine guns. They accompanied their fire with blood-curdling screams. We stopped the attack with machine guns.

“The Japs charged again toward morning. Again we stopped their attack. In the distance we could hear our battalion fighting its way toward us. It never came. After a fierce machine gun duel, the Japs threw shells at us. But we broke through and saved our wounded. We slid into a gully and fought our way to the sea.”

Chenerino B. "Ted" Parisi died in 1999 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was 80 years old. He moved to Florida after he retired from Allied Chemical Corporation (Solvay Process). Among his survivors was a brother, Arigo H. Parisi, a longtime resident of Solvay who also was a veteran of World War 2, serving with the 17th Airborne Division and the 321st Golden Falcons Glider Unit. Arigo Parisi later was an electronic technician at General Electric. He died in 2009 at the age of 94.

Three soldier friends had a reunion overseas on the Atlantic side. They were Joseph Fall, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Fall of Warners; Anthony Bocchino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carmen Bocchino, also of Warners, and Louis Past, son of Joseph Past, 511 Second Street, Solvay. Bocchino’s wife, Theresa Bocchino, resides at 305 Cogswell Avenue, Solvay. All three have been overseas for the last 15 months. (2/13/44)

Mary Patapow of 409 Abell Avenue, Solvay, and Regina A. Piasecki of 511 Third Street, Solvay, left yesterday for Hunter College to begin training in the Waves. Each Wave is trained for some specific task so she may release a sailor for combat duty, according to Recruiting Specialist Virginia Whitcomb, in charge of Wave recruiting in the Navy Station in the Cahill Building. (4/21/44)

Pfc. Bruno Paussa, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paussa, 233 Lamont Avenue, Solvay, was graduated from the Army Air Forces Technical Training command at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina. (4/27/43)

An Eight Air Force Liberator Station, England —T/Sgt. Bruno Paussa of 233 Lamont Avenue, Solvay, an engineer gunner on a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads in part: “For extraordinary achievement while serving as gunner engineer on bombardment missions over continental Europe. Displaying great courage and skill, Sgt. Paussa has materially aided in the success of each mission.”

Sgt. Paussa is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paussa. Since arrival in the European theater last May he has flown on 35 bombing missions over Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe. He holds the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Sgt. Paussa has participated in heavy bombardment missions to Saarbrucken, Munich, Hamburg, Ham, Politz, Zietz and in support of Allied ground forces. (11/15/44)

Tech. Sgt. Bruno Paussa of the Army Air Force arrived at Fort Dix, New Jersey, after 10 months overseas in the European theater of operations, prior to reaching his home, 233 Lamont Avenue, Solvay. (11/26/44)

Bruno Paussa, who worked for Halcomb/Crucible Steel, moved to Onondaga Hill in the 1950s. He was born in 1919 in Austria and moved with his family to Solvay in 1921. He died in 2011 at the age of 91. His obituary included the following:

"He was a quick-witted and intelligent man who was generous with his time and resources. He cleared neighborhood drives of snow into his 80s. A skilled cook (his pickled hot peppers were legendary) and gardener, Bruno shared his bounty with family and friends . . . Hunting and fishing were passions that he pursued throughout his life. This past fall, at age 90, he shot his last deer."

Pfc. Robert V. Peiffer, 402 South Orchard Road, Westvale, was discharged from Fort Dix, New Jersey. (12/11/45)

Robert V. Peiffer, a lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, served with the 187th Infantry Division and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was an electrical engineer with Carrier Corporation Quality Control until he retired in 1983. He died in February, 2009, at the age of 83.

T/5 Hilario R. Perez, Solvay, was discharged from Fort Dix, New Jersey. (12/21/45)

Peter J. "Peaches" Pernasilice, 78, was an Army veteran who lived most of his life in Solvay. He died in January 2003. He worked in construction before bartending at the veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2893 where he was a life member. He was survived by his wife, the former Margaret Nelepovitz. His brother, Angelo L. Pernasilice, also served in the Army during the war.

Solvay native Edward R. Pernisis was an Army veteran of World War 2, serving with the Signal Corps in Africa and Italy. He lived most of his life in Westvale in a home he and his wife built. He retired from Crucible Steel in 1981. He died in 2008 at the age of 89.

Syracuse Herald-Journal, February 25, 1945
Two telegrams from the War Department were received by Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Pestillo, 502 Cogswell Avenue, Solvay, within a week, one notifying them that their son, Pfc. Serafino M. Pestillo, was wounded in Luxembourg, and the other announcing that another son, S/Sgt, Peter Pestillo, is missing in action.

Pfc. Pestillo, serving with the Army Engineers, was wounded a month ago when a mortal shell landed near him, showering his body with shrapnel. He is convalescing in an Army hospital in England. Graduated from Solvay High School in 1936 and inducted in March, 1941, Pfc. Pestillo went overseas in March last year and was sent to France from England last July.

S/Sgt. Pestillo is a member of the infantry. He was graduated from Solvay High School in 1932 and was inducted in March, 1942, going overseas in October, 1943, and into France last July. On August 1, 1944, he was wounded, receiving the Purple Heart, and last October rejoined his outfit in Germany. He is reported missing in Luxembourg since December 20.

The two brothers have not seen each other for 26 months.

Syracuse Herald-Journal, April 17. 1945
S/Sgt. Peter Pestillo is now a prisoner of war in Germany. The Solvay infantryman previously was reported missing in action in Luxembourg since December 20.

A letter from the soldier was received by his parents this week. He wrote, “I’m a prisoner in Germany. I am not wounded, and I am in good health, so don’t worry.”

He told how he was smoking an American cigaret which he had been saving for his birthday, January 27.

Pestillo’s brother, Pfc. Serafino M. Pestillo, who was wounded January 4 at Luxembourg while serving with the Army Engineers, is now home on a convalescence furlough.

Alfonso F. Pestillo,79, a native of Solvay who formerly lived on Boulder Road, died at his home in Camillus in October, 1996. He was the son of John and Agnes Pestillo. For 40 years he was owner and operator of Reliable Plumbing and Heating Co., Solvay. His wife, the former Amelia Crego, died three months earlier. Alfonso Pestillo was a Navy veteran of World War 2.

Dr. Mario P. Pestillo, 74, died in September 1992. He was a native of Solvay and a Syracuse resident who served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps during World War 2. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and the Syracuse College of Medicine. He operated a pediatric private practice for 40 years. He was the son of Carmen and Eda Pestillo.

Pvt. Joseph Peters, 218 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, returned to New York City aboard the SS Santa Rosa. (8/14/45)

John Petrocci of 302-1/2 Darrow Avenue, Solvay, was inducted into the Army on April 2, 1944. Upon his return he resumed working for Allied Chemical Corporation until he retired in 1975. He moved to Camillus where he died in 2003 at the age of 86.

Pvt. Michael Petrocci, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Petrocci, 115 Belle Isle Road, Camillus, has returned after a furlough to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, where he is serving with the Coast Artillery. (3/17/43)

Pfc. Michsel Petrocci, husband of Mrs. Virginnia De Rose Petrocci of 317 East Division Street, a veteran of battles in Africa, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany, has been overseas 25 monrths. (5/31/45)

Michael Anthony Petrocci, who attended Solvay High School, was owner of Petrocci Janitorial Company. He retired in 1984 and died 19 years later at the age of 81, survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Virginia L. DeRose.

Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Petrocci, 416 South Avenue, Solvay, are serving in the armed forces. Corp. Raleigh Petrocci of the Marines is stationed at San Francisco; Pvt. Paul Petrocci is in an Army Medical Detachment at Palm Beach, Florida, and Pvt. Louis Petrocci is at Long Beach, California, in the Army searchlight division. (11/19/43)

Pvt. Paul Petrocci, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Petrocci, 416 South Avenue, Solvay, who has fought in Africa and served in England, is now among the troops in France. (1/2/45)

T/5 Paul Petrocci of 416 South Avenue, Solvay, has been awarded the Bronze Medal for meritorious service with the 121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 106th Cavalry Group in the Medical Detachment of the Third Army. He has been overseas since March, 1944. (9/7/45)

Paul Petrocci was a life resident of Solvay who received the Purple Heart as well as the Bronze Star. He was a millwright at Crucible Steel for 43 before retiring. He died in 2011 at the age of 88. Among the survivors was his brother, Louis.

Tech Sgt. Bernard J. Pettitt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pettitt, 233 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, was promoted from staff sergeant to his present rank at the Marine Air Corps Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. (2/21/45)

Bernard J. "Jim" Pettit died in 1987. After the war he worked for General Electric and was a Solvay trustee from the village's First Ward for 15 years. He also was a former chief of the Solvay Fire Department.

Harry V. Pettitt Jr., 114 Summit Avenue, Solvay, was inducted into the Army on May 11, 1944. He returned to Central New York and worked at Allied Chemical Corporation until he retired in 1978. He lived in Fairmount where he was chief of the volunteer fire department and a one-time president of the Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen's Association. He died in 1995 at the age of 77.

Former Solvay resident, James P. Peyatt Sr., 71, died in 1997. He worked for Greif Brothers Container after serving in the Navy during World War 2.

Pfc. Charles A. Pezzullo, whose wife resides at 1211 Avery Avenue, Syracuse, has been graduated from the bomber mechanics school at Keesler Field, Mississippi. (11/26/43)

Pvt. Kenneth K. Phillips, husband of Marion J. Phillips of 124 Freeman Avenue, Solvay, was wounded in the European Theater of Operations. (12/29/44)

Regina Alice Piasecki, S 1/c USWNR, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Piasecki, 511 Third Street, Solvay, was married to Michael J. Lorber, AAM 2/c, USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lorber of Newark, New Jersey, on December 9 in Sacred Heart Church, Syracuse. Attendants were Miss H. Genevieve Piasecki, sister of the bride, and Chester Hadmeki, cousin of the bride. Following a short visit with their families, the couple returned to their respective bases. (12/24/44)

Second Lieutenant John D. Piedmonte, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Piedmonte, 1345 Milton Avenue, Solvay, was graduated from the advanced navigation school of Ellington Field, Texas. (7/15/44)

Sgt. Louis V.Piedmonte, Solvay, returned to New York City aboard the George Washington. (12/21/45)

Louis Piedmonte died in 1994 at the age of 71. He was manager of the family-owned restaurant, Don's of Solvay. His brother also was involved with the restaurant, though John Piedmonte, who graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University in 1948, was an architect at Clark, Clark, Millson and Gilson Architects.

Pvt. Louis J. Pieklik of the Army Air Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Pieklik,, 814 Third Street, Solvay, is receiving training as a high speed radio operator at Scott Field, Illinois. He entered service in October, 1943, and received basic training in Miami Beach, Florida, and Madison, Wisconsin. (8/19/44)

Louis Pieklik died in 2012 at the age of 89. After the war he was a precision cylindrical grinder at Carrier Corporation for 40 years. Among his survivors was his wife of 66 years, the former Muriel Servoss.

Ernesto Pietrantoni, who gave his address as 1107 Third Street, Solvay, was inducted into the Army in January, 1943. His cousin, Paul L. Pietrantoni, served in the Navy.

William Norman Pilch, Field Artillery, 337 Darrow Avenue, Solvay, has been advanced from the rank of first lieutenant to that of captain, it was announced today by the War Department. (1/24/44)

William N. Pilch, who rose to the rank of major, moved to Massachusetts, eventually settling in the town of Millis. He was the regional operations director for Mister Donut for 16 years.

Pfc. John W. Pilch, 337 Darrow Avenue, Solvay, was discharged from Fort Dix, New Jersey. (12/13/45)

Pvt. John W. Pileski, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Pileski, 801 Second Street, Solvay, has been graduated from the Army Air Forces Training Command, Chanute Field, Illinois. He received instruction in the electronics course. (5/27/44)

Coast Guardsman Eulogio M. Piro, S4/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Piro of 204 First Street, Solvay, is serving aboard a Coast Guard-manned tanker in the Pacific. A brother, Raymond, is an electrician's mate in the Navy. (3/24/45)

Raymond Piro Jr., electrician’s mate 3/c, of 204 First Street Solvay, served aboard the USS Shangri-La in the Pacific Theater of Operations. (9/8/45)

Eulogio Piro died in 1984. Raymond Piro died in 1999. Raymond Pirro retired in 1981 as a foreman after 33 years at Allied Chemical. He was a member of the Geddes Veterans and the Solvay Tigers.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pirro of 207 King Avenue, Solvay, had three sons in the service. These were three of the best-known young men in the village, all of them excellent students and skilled athletes who made names for themselves in college.

Syracuse Herald-Journal, April 20, 1944
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Ensign Carmon F. Pirro, USNR, 207 King Avenue, Solvay, has been awarded the silver medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepedity in action as officer in charge of a scout boat during an amphibious assault on the west coast of Italy.

Ensign Pirro, reported missing in action in January, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pirro. He is a former Solvay athlete and was intramural sports director at Catholic University, Washington. His wife, Mrs. Evelyn F. Pirro, lives in Silver Springs, Maryland.

He starred in football and basketball at Solvay and was a member of the varsity football team at Catholic University from 1938 to 1940. He was graduated in 1940. He enlisted in the Navy in October, 1942, and was commissioned in January, 1943, after studying at Notre Dame University. He went overseas in March.

Two brothers, Rocco and John, widely known athletes at Solvay and Catholic University, are also in service with the Navy, Rocco as ensign and John a midshipman.

Carmon Pirro, whose first name often appears as Carmen, later was declared dead, lost at sea during the Allied assault on Anzio.

John J. Pirro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pirro of 207 King Avenue, Solvay, will graduate from Annapolis on June 11. Pirro, 23, was appointed by Representative Clarence E. Hancock. He is a graduate of Solvay High School and attended the Catholic University at Washington. (5/28/44)

Commander John J. Pirro, USN (Retired), died in 2006 in Front Royal, Virginia. He was 85 years old. Survivors included a son, John J. Pirro Jr., and a daughter, Judith Pirro.

HAMILTON (AP) — Lieut. (jg) Rocco A. Pirro of Solvay, athletic and battalion officer of the V-12 Naval unit at Colgate University since 1943, has been transferred to the Shoemaker, California, Naval Station where he will hold a like position. Pirro, whose transfer was announced yesterday, was captain of the 1939 football team at Catholic University and played with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1940 and 1941. (7/17/45)

The link under Rocco A. Pirro's name connects with his page on the website of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. Rocky Pirro was perhaps the most famous and successful athlete to grow up in Solvay. I remember him best as the line coach for the Syracuse University football team, though his list of accomplishments goes on and on. He died in 1995.

Sons of Cosimo and the late Concettina Pirro of 110 Franklin Street, Solvay, also made a huge contribution during the war:

Dr. Nicholas J. Pirro, lieutenant, of 110 Franklin Avenue, Solvay, has received orders to report for duty at the New York Port of embarkation. He was graduated from the College of Medicine at Syrause University in 1941 and interned at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. (8/25/42)

Capt. Nicholas J. Pirro of Solvay was promoted to his present rank while serving overseas on the Atlantic side. (10/8/43)

Capt. Nicholas J. Pirro, M.C., whose wife, Mary, resides at 1509 Park Street, met two of his brothers in France. Tech. Sgt. Albert H. Pirro and Corp. Carmen J. Pirro. They are sons of Cosimo Pirro, 110 Franklin Street, Solvay. Another son, Pfc. Joseph Pirro, is en route to a theater of war. Sgt. George Stratton, a brother-in-law of the Pirro boys, was wounded in France. Two other sons-in-law of Cosimo Pirro, Sgt. Gerald Stratton and Pvt. Raymond Fashana, are in service. (12/5/44)

Dr. Nicholas J. Pirro returned to Solvay where he had a private medical practice until 1981. He moved to Vestal, near Binghamton, a few years later and died in 1997 at the age of 86.

Albert H. Pirro graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1948, had a successful law practice and also was the attorney for the Town of Geddes. He died in 1969 after being stricken with a heart attack at Westvale Golf and Country Club.

Carmen J. Pirro died in 1979 at the age of 63.

Joseph Plants of Solvay is in the Seabees. (6/4/45)

Joseph Plants returned to Solvay, lived at 325 Sixth Street, and worked at Allied Chemical Corporation until he retired in 1976. He died in 1994.

Syracuse Herald-Journal, May 24, 1945
Another serviceman from Solvay has been liberated from German prison camps. He is First Lieutenant Arthur Pneuman Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Pneuman of North Orchard Road, parents of Lieut. Pneuman have received a letter from him saying he’s “perfectly okay” after two months in a German prison camp.

Since Lieut. Pneuman was reported missing on March 6, no word had come to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pneuman until yesterday.

A squadron leader for a group of P-47 planes with the British Desert Air Forces, Lieut. Pneuman was participating in raids from bases in Italy when he went down. He is now in Mooseburg, Germany.

The first lieutenant holds two Distinguished Flying Cross awards. Overseas for two years, he was among the first group of pilots to hit southern France on D-Day.

Also he has received the Air Medal and the theater ribbon with two battle stars. He was promoted to first lieutenant November 21, 1944.

Lieut. Pneuman, whose home is in Solvay, is a graduate of Solvay High School and a former student at Syracuse Univesity. He enlisted in the Air Corps in January, 1943, and after service at Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Dothan, Alabama, was sent overseas.

Aviation Machinist Mate Chester A. Pogroski, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Pogroski, 312 First Street, Solvay, completed his course at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Norman, Oklahoma. He observed his 20th birthday on May 27, was graduated May 27 and his class number was 27. (6/18/44)

I found nothing more on this veteran, except an indication his last name more properly was spelled Pogroszewski.

Stanley Polak, seaman, second class, whose family resides at 324 Belle Isle Road, Solvay, is a member of the amphibious force of the Navy. Upon completion of his prelimininary LST training at Norfolk, Virginia, he was assigned to the crew of an LST for active duty. (4/25/44)

John Polak, also of 324 Belle Isle Road, was inducted into the Army in February, 1943. Assuming John and Stanley Polak were brothers, then there were three members of the family in uniform during the war, the third being Benny J. Polak, who lived at 103 King Avenue, Solvay, when he entered the Navy in September, 1943.

John Polak served in the South Pacific during the war. He returned home, worked at Crucible Steel Company, and lived in Camillus, a few miles from Belle Isle Road, until he died in 1977. His brother, Benny, retired from Crucible Specialty Metals after 38 years.

Syracuse Journal, June 21, 1938
Their enlistment in the Army accepted, two Solvay High School postgraduates were given temporary leaves of absence Tuesday by Col. John R. Kelly, chief of the Syracuse Army recruiting district, so that they might complete their regents examinations before heading for Hawaii tomorrow night.

The two star students are Richard A. Pollard, 123 Terry Road, and Lloyd F. Mitchell of 116 Terry Road. Neighbors and both 19, they have been playmates and pals for the past eight years.

Both recruits graduated from Solvay High School last June, and the following January Pollard applied for enlistment in the Army air service. At the time there were no vacancies and while his enlistment was accepted, he was placed on the preference list and instructed to bide his time.

Last Friday we went to the Army office and, learning he could enter another branch of the service and then at the first opening transfer to the air corps, he signed up for the coast artillery.

Then came the matter of a regents examination in chemistry, which he was to take this morning. Colonel Kelly gave him a “pass” so that he could be on leave to take the test.

This morning Mitchell bobbed up at the recruiting station and applied for enlistment. Accepted for service in the infantry, he, too, was given a leave of absence so that he could take a regents examination in French tomorrow.

At 11 o’clock tomorrow night both youths will board a train that will start them on the first leg of their journey to Hawaii. In the meantime professors at Solvay High School have been requested to forward them their examination marks to Hawaii.

Miss Bernice Marguerite Sturdevant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Sturdevant of Delhi, became the bride of Lieut. Richard Alvin Pollard, USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Pollard, 123 Terry Road, Syracuse, at Robinson Memorial United Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. George Rood, sister of the bridegroom, was matron of honor; George Rood, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, was best man.

After May 20 the couple will live at the bridegroom’s new post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Lieut. Pollard was graduated May 6 from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, field artillery school. He has been in the Army four years, serving two years in Hawaii and was formerly stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The bride recently was graduated from a child nursing course. (5/14/43)

Richard A. Pollard moved to Marcellus after the war. He was a contractor who retired in 1972. He was a 27-year member and past commander of the Ralph Share American Legion Post 297 in Marcellus, where he died in 1979, at the age of 59. He was survived by his wife, Bernice, and their seven children, one of whom, Timothy J. Pollard, was serving with the U. S. Air Force in Spain at the time.

Pfc. Primo Ponti, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ponti, 224 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, is now attending Weater Observation School at Chanute Field, Illinois. He obtained basic training at Greensboro, North Carolina. (8/27/43)

Marine Pfc. Henry Ponti, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ponti of 224 Caroline Avenue, Solvay, is stationed in Guam. (6/4/45)

Mario Ponzo, 332 First Street, Solvay, was inducted into the Army in February, 1943. Corp. Mario M. Ponzo was discharged in December, 1945, from Fort Dix, New Jersey. Mario Ponzo, nicknamed "Jeep," owned and operated E. J.'s restaurant in Syracuse for 24 years. A native of Italy, he died in 1991 at the age of 68.

Bluejacket Ned R. Ponzo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ponzo, 332 First Street, Solvay, is receiving his initial Naval indoctrination at Great Lakes, Illinois. (8/25/44)

Like his brother, Mario, Ned Ponzo was born in Italy. He spent most of his life in Solvay and was an engineer with Smith Corona Corporation. He died in 1999 at the age of 73.

Lieut. Donald J. Porter, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Porter, 107 Century Drive, Westvale, was graduated recently from the Fighter Command School at Orlando, Florida. He is now assigned to the First Fighter Command at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (12/19/42)

Lieut. Donald J. Porter, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Porter, 107 Century Drive, Westvale, was promoted in the Army Air Forces to his present rank from second lieutenant. He is stationed at Norfolk, Virginia he entered service in 1941 while a student at Syracuse University. (10/5/43)

AC Aldo Presari, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Presari, 210 Charles Avenue, Solvay, has completed the first stage of Army Air Force pilot training at Orangeburg, South Carolina. (11/14/43)

Flight Officer Aldo Presari of Solvay received his pilot wings and was commissioned in the Army at Marianna, Florida. (3/22/44)

Aldo Presari, a fighter pilot during the war, returned to the Syracuse area, worked as an engineer with Allied Chemical Corporation, and retired in 1980. He moved to Moravia, New York, where he died in 2000 at the age of 83.

Ferdinando J. "Fred" Proletti, 85, of Solvay, died in April, 2011. He was an Army veteran of World War 2 who was employed by New York Central Railroad, then Niagara Mohawk. He was a member and past president of the Solvay Tigers Athletic Club and Community Youth Center.

Eddie V. Pucello, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pucello of 104 Trump Street, Solvay, recently wrote home a letter which had this postscript: “Don’t think I’m a prisoner because I’m using Jap paper. It’s just something I picked up.”

The letter came from the Solomons. Eddie, who joined the Marines in January, said in his letter that he is “in Guadalcanal doing my share.” (9/18/42)

Pfc. Edward Pucello, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pucello of 104 Trump Street, Solvay, has been resting at a secret place with other Marines removed from Guadalcanal, following occupation of the island by the Army. Pucello was among the first Marines to land on Guadalcanal. (2/7/43)

Pfc. Edward Pucello was killed during the war, but I've yet to find a date or place. On one site that lists the Marine dead during World War 2 he is referred to as Eddio V. Pucello, but there are no details about the circumstances.

Robert E. Wall, Phm 2c, and Joseph V. Pucello, F 2c, enjoyed a reunion in Gulfport, Mississippi, where both are now stationed. They had not seen each other since they enlisted in the Navy and went through basic training together at Sampson. Phm. 2/c Wall is at the dispensary and F 2/c Pucello at Diesel school in Gulfport, the former the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wall, 106 Hazard Street, Solvay, and the latter son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pucello, 104 Trump Street, Solvay. (6/3/44)

Of the following, I found nothing more than notation of when they were inducted:

Edmund Pienkowski, 562 State Fair Boulevard, Lakeland (Navy, 2/12/43)
Joseph C. Platt, RD-1, Solvay (4/23/42)

- Q -

Thomas A. Quinn, 76, of Charles Avenue, Solvay, died in March, 1999. Born in England, Quinn was an Army veteran of World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He graduated from Solvay High School and Le Moyne College. He retired in 1983 after 30 years at IBM. (3/5/99)

T/4 Charles J. Quinn, 113-1/2 William Street, was discharged from Fort Dix, New Jersey. (12/11/45)

The newspaper did not specify whether it was William Street in Solvay or in Syracuse, but I believe there was a two-family home at this address in the village.

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For more on Solvay way back when, check out
the Solvay-Geddes Historical Society

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