Roland A. Leone

Roland A. Leone

NAME: Roland A. Leone

ASN: 35026969

PLACE OF BIRTH: Vastogirardi, Italy

DATE OF BIRTH: 03 Sep 1915

DATES OF SERVICE: 11 Jul 1941 - 26 Oct 1945

UNIT ASSIGNED: 509th PIB

CAMPAIGNS: G033&40 WD45 Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes

AWARDS: Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge with two combat jump stars , Purple Heart Medal (Unconfirmed), Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and seven bronze star devices, World War II Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with one oak leaf cluster, one federal service stripe, six overseas service bars, Sharpshooter Badge - Rifle M1 and Rifle M1903 (1941), Marksmanship Badge - Carbine M1 (1945)

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

03 Sep 1915 - Born in Vastogirardi, Italy

1921 - Immigrated to the US with his parents and lived in Akron, OH

He graduated from high school in 3 years, and second in his graduating class.

He received a scholastic scholarship to the University of Akron (Ohio), but did not graduate due to being drafted in the Army.

11 Jul 1941 - Enlisted at Ft Hayes, Cleveland, OH - NARA Enlistment Record

ARMY SERIAL NUMBER	35026969	35026969
NAME	LEONE#ROLAND#A##########	LEONE#ROLAND#A##########
RESIDENCE: STATE	53	OHIO
RESIDENCE: COUNTY	153	SUMMIT
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT	5323	CLEVELAND OHIO
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY	11	11
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH	07	07
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR	41	41
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION	7VT#	Undefined Code
GRADE: CODE	8	Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION	BI#	Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
BRANCH: CODE	00	Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
FIELD USE AS DESIRED	#	#
TERM OF ENLISTMENT	0	Undefined Code
LONGEVITY	###	###
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL	0	Civil Life
NATIVITY	O0	ITALY or SAN MARINO
YEAR OF BIRTH	15	15
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP	1	White, citizen
EDUCATION	7	3 years of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION	732	Semiskilled construction occupations, n.e.c.
MARITAL STATUS	6	Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY	7	Selectees (Enlisted Men)
CARD NUMBER	#	#
BOX NUMBER	0884	0884
FILM REEL NUMBER	3.306	3.306

Traveled by train to Fort Benning, GA to attend Basic Training. After completing the training he volunteered for the Paratroops.

04 Jun 1942 - Departed US for Scotland aboard the Queen Elizabeth

11 Jun 1942 - Arrived in Glasgow, Scotland stayed there a few days and then moved to Chilton Foliat, England

Traveled to Tafaraoui, Algeria then onto Algiers and to Tunisia, where they viewed the ruins of Carthage

15 Jan 1943 - Wrote that he was in the 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry in Algiers. Involved in bombings, flying in a Flying Fortress, over Tunis. Had just made Morning Report Clerk, and promoted to Cpl. He stated that even during action, he had to keep tab on what happens to every man in the Battalion. (Note: Bomber Crews were short aerial gunners and would seek volunteers from the Paratroops for their skill with weapons)

4 Feb 1943 - Wrote that he liked his superior, Capt. Berry

00 Mar 1943 - Wrote that he was in Colonel Raff's parachute outfit in N. Africa. Never spoke of what was happening due to security reasons.

05 Sep 43 - Moved from Kairouan, North Africa to Gela, Sicily by air.

14 Sep 1943 - Participated in the jump on Avellino, Italy

I believe one time he had an accident of some type during a parachute jump that he said caused some of his back ailments. I believe he may have landed in a tree?

24 Sep 1943 - Wrote about Sicily.

22 Jan 1944 - Participated in Amphibious Assault on Anzio, Italy, Operation SHINGLE

He was riding in a jeep near the seaport for Rome, when a German aircraft dropped a bomb that hit near the jeep causing the jeep to overturn. He, another non-com, and I believe a Colonel were thrown from the jeep, ended up nearby unconscious. Fortunately, no one was seriously wounded, but he did have a bad back, loss of some hearing, and a few scars on his head. Received Purple Heart Medal (Unconfirmed) for this action.

10 Apr 1944 - Cpl. Roland A. Leone 35026969 HHC 509th PIB GO 5 Award of Combat Infantryman Badge

00 Aug 1944 - Americo Colaizzi introduced him to his future wife Anna Bossi while in Naples, Italy. They married while in Italy

"Then, traveled by motor vehicle to Naples, Italy. It was a beautiful town where I met a lovely Italian lady, named Anna, whom I would later marry in Italy. After my visit to Naples, we were bogged down in Monte Casino due to the Germans, who were entrenched there, and resisted our confrontation. "

Promoted to Sgt.

15 Aug 1944 - Participated in jump for Operation ANVIL-DRAGOON the liberation of Southern France

07 Oct 1944 - Wrote that by now he had been in the Parachute troops for over 3 years

13 Dec 1944 - Wrote that he was now in France

22 Dec 1944 - Moved into vicinity of Erezee, Belgium to stop the German offensive in the Ardennes " I encountered my feet being frost bitten due to the severe cold temperatures"

12 Feb 1945 - Wrote that he was in Belgium. Upset about being transferred to another organization. Outfit being broken up, and war not over. Misses his fiancee, Anna.

00 Apr 1945 - Wrote not in a parachute troop anymore. Now in Civil Affairs.

"Returned to France where my duties were changed from making jumps with the 82nd Airborne Unit to working in the offices in a clerical position. One of my duties was typing leaves of absence (furloughs) to the Army soldiers. The soldiers liked him. "

19 Apr 1945 - Wrote his sister when she asked what Army was he in. He wrote that in Africa & Sicily he was in the 5th Army. In France, was in the 7th, 3rd, 1st and 1st Allied Airborne Army. Was last in the 82nd Airborne Div. Now in no Army, but in Oise Base Section, Com Z, APO 513. He never told his sister or anyone about the dangers at times, but the worse was in Anzio and Belgium. But he didn't elaborate.

04 May 1945 - Wrote that he was in Bar-le-Duc, 35 miles from Verdun in France, 150 miles from Paris

05 Jun 1945 - Wrote that he was in the hospital for two weeks being treated for Malaria

01 Oct 1945 - Departed Europe for US

08 Oct 1945 - Arrived in US

26 Oct 1945 - Honorably discharged from service at 482nd Military Police Escort Guard Co., Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, PA Continental Service: 11 months, 11 days Foreign Service: 3 years, 4 months, 5 days

"In 1945, I traveled by ship to return to the United States to arrive in Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Consequently after my discharge from the Army, I returned to Akron, Ohio. My wife Anna remained in Naples, Italy until I became settled and sent for her to come to America via a ship with other ladies, commonly known as War Brides. "

Upon return to the US he submitted papers to permit his War Bride to travel to the US

04 Sep 2009 - Passed away survived by wife Anna, son James, daughter Diane, and one sister Doris. Five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren

Left: Lt. John R. Martin, Right: Roland Leone taken in Anzio, Italy taken around Feb 1944

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