Cpl. Samuel P. Pizanello (32738423)

Samuel Paul Pizanello was born November 30, 1923 in Oneonta, NY to Marco Pizannello (1877-1959) and Angelina Miattia (1883-1928 ). According to 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census records his mon and dad came from Italy in 1909 and 1905 or 1906 respectively. Samuel was the youngest of their eight children. His dad worked for the D&H Railroad in town. His mom died when he was only 4 years old. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1941 where he was known as "Paul" and considered a good friend. His mom died when he was only 4. The 1940 U.S. Census recorded him living on DePew St. in Oneonta with just his father. He reported being a janitor helper at the senior high school at the time.

He met Jean Loson and for a short time lived with her family in Smyrna, NY. She identified herself in a letter as his fiance. He was living with her at the time he registered from the draft. While in Smyrna, he worked at the Rockdale Creamery Corp. He was also employed at the VanBuren store and the Oneonta Recreation Academy before being inducted into the service on January 26, 1943 in Binghamton, NY. He was 5'-9" tall and weighed 154 pounds.

The 894th Chemical Company was stationed on Mindoro Island in the Philippines during World War II and they were responsible for things such as filling bombs on P-38 fighter planes with napalm. During the time Cpl. Pizanello was there the airfield was used to stage attacks against enemy targets during the recapture of the Philippines.

Cpl Pizanello was killed when a P-38 "accidently crashed into company area, 1550 hrs 26 July 1945." on Mindoro Island in the Philippines. He was initially buried the next day in the USAF Cemetery San Jose No. 1. on Mindoro, Plot 2, Row 7, Grave 55 then reburied in USAF Cemetery Manila #2 on Luzon Plot 2, Row 7, Grave 888 in January 1946. Cpl. Pizanello's remains were escorted home by Sgt. Frederick J. Hanley in October of 1949 and permanently interred in the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY, Section H, Grave 9841.

If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com.

Sources

Abbott, Don, "Remembering Mindoro", accessed at https://corregidor.org/heritage_battalion/abbott/mindoro.html, February 10, 2023.

Find a Grave records for Angelina Pizanello accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225158439/angelina-pizanello, February 9, 2023.

Find a Grave records for CPL Samual Pizanello accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82627057/samuel-paul-pizanello, February 9, 2023.

Find a Grave recorr for Marco Pizanello, accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203367482/marco-pizanello, February 9, 2023.

Greenfield, Kent Roberts, United States Army in World War II, accessed at https://history.army.mil/html/books/011/11-1/CMH_Pub_11-1.pdf; February 9, 2023.

Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for Cpl. Samuel P. Pizanello (32738423), National Archives, St. Louis, MI.

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

Oneonta Man Loses Life in Plane Crash, Sun and Press Bulletin, Binghamton, NY, August 6, 1945.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Roll: T625_1255; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 215

Year: 1940; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02717; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 39-44

Supporting Files