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Enzo Brandolini
Interviewed by:
Emma Peterson and Julia Keane
1945
2015
"We don't feel at all anything. We just don't, don't think or feel anything." (20:54)
~ Enzo Brandolini
Name:
Enzo Brandolini
Date of Birth / Death:
October 13th, 1920 -
June 13, 2019
Branch of Service:
US Marines, 4th Division and 1st Division
Dates of Service:
1945-1954
Location of Military Service:
North Pacific, Japan
Residence at Time of Death:
North Chatham, MA
Enzo Brandolini's Story
During World War II, brave fighters stood up for our country. These men and women, soldiers and nurses, fought courageously in a time of war. Mr. Brandolini is just one of the many men who defended our country. His bravery in World War II makes him a hero. Mr. Brandolini grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts and when he was about 25 years old he joined a group of his friends and together they all enlisted for the U.S. Marines in Boston, Massachusetts. He spent some time training at the Heavy Weapons School, where he excelled at learning about weapons and how to use them.
After training, Mr. Brandolini was sent to Japan. In Japan, Mr. Brandolini got to experience a different nation while in the 4th Division as a sergeant, where he participated in the battles of Saipan and Tinian, as well as being located at Camp Maui. He brought food, weapons, and gasoline around the island to his comrades in need. As with most warfare situations, near-death experiences accompanied soldiers and Mr. Brandolini was no exception. He survived Japanese soldiers shooting at him, and bombing his men and himself. After the 4th Division, Mr. Brandolini joined the 1st Division as a sergeant.
When the war was over, Mr. Brandolini returned to the life he had left before the war and found that integrating with society once again wasn't difficult. Something that makes Mr. Brandolini intriguing is that his views on some subjects differ from other veterans. Unlike other veterans, Mr. Brandolini believes the war didn't change him. Now residing in Chatham, Mr. Brandolini still has a fresh perspective on the war and proudly recounts the days of his life in the U.S. Marines. Even though Mr. Brandolini is modest about his wartime service, he will gladly retell stories of the past to anyone willing to listen.
Pictures from the Service
Image taken shows a young Enzo Brandolini when he joined the U.S. Marines, along with all of the medals, pins and patches he was given for his service.
In a book owned by Mr. Brandolini about the 4th Division, is a map showing the North Pacific Ocean where he was located.
In a book owned by Mr. Brandolini about the 4th Division, is a page about daily life at Camp Maui where he was stationed.
A map showing the North Pacific Ocean, where Mr. Brandolini was located during World War ll.
A map showing the island of Tinian, one of the islands where Mr. Brandolini was located during the war.
An aerial map of the island of Saipan, taken around the time Mr. Brandolini was located there during World War II. This is an actual photograph of Saipan taken during World War II.
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