RUPOLO, THOMAS

Thomas Rupolo

Marines

Coram

Thomas Jerome Rupolo, Sr. was born on May 27, 1919 in Brooklyn, N.Y. One of eight children, he resided in Brooklyn until the family relocated to Coram in May, 1935. He attended Port Jefferson High School and thereafter became a heavy equipment operator. In 1941, Thomas married Anne Velk of Port Jefferson Station. Their children, Thomas Jr. and Richard were born in 1942 and 1946 respectively.

On Oct 21, 1942 Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina. He served in the Pacific Theater, (along with his brother-in-law, Frank Bello) and took part in the amphibious landing at Okinawa in April, 1945. Upon the surrender of Japan, he served occupation duty with the 2nd Marine Division on mainland Japan. He was discharged Jan.29, 1946