Carmine Peter Avantini was born on July 26, 1923 in Rome, NY to Augustine Avantini (1895-1968) and Mary Venilli (1903-1963). His parents were married on July 17, 1922 in Buffalo, NY. He had a brothers Augustine Jr. and two sisters, Anna and Anette [Anzenstine]. In 1940 the family was recorded as living at 503 Woodland Ave. in Rome, NY. At the time of his interment, his family is living at 170 Lock. St. in Rome, NY. His father was from Italy. His mother from New York. His dad worked at Rome Cable.

Newspaper accounts of his death reported he graduated from Rome Free Academy but the author was unable to find any mention of him in Rome Free Academy yearbooks. He worked for Union Fork and Hoe Company prior to his enlistment. He registered for the draft on June 3, 1942 in Rome, NY. and in December of that same year enlists. He received his training in Atlantic City, N.J., Scott Field, Illinois, Kingman, Arizona, Moses Lake, Washington and finally Temple, Florida before being sent to England to join the 339th. He is 5'-7" tall and weighed 135 pounds. He had blue eyes and brown hair. His service number is 12173646.

The 339th flew missions in Europe from Snetterton, England.  On April 9, 1944 Avantini's B17-G Flying Fortress, #42-40051 piloted by 1st Lt. James Y. Massey was shotdown over northern Germany. (MACR #03652). Carmine is initially reported as missing over Sweden and later officially reported killed in action on April 9, 1944. His body is recovered and buried in the Ardennes Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, Plot C, Row 1, Grave 21. A memorial stone to the crew can be found in Nysted, Denmark.

"I am compelled to add a human narrative to Carmine's brief life. Mr. Avantini was my Uncle Joey's (Joseph Cervo) best friend growing up together in Rome NY. My mother, who was a few years younger than Joey & Carmine, remembers them this way: They were young, handsome, and excited to be of service to their Country as new high school graduates. Before he shipped out, Carmin brought a buddy home to Rome for what would be his last visit. They went rollerskating together; my Mom & his buddy liked each other so much, he gave her his 'wings.' They never returned. They were KIA, their plane shot down in April. Uncle Joey died of his wounds 5 months later during Operation Market Garden. Two best buddies who did most of their living in Upstate NY, made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their Country, dying far away from home...overseas. Rest in Peace. "

Firsthand account from childhood friend Dorothy Cervo Parente as related to her daughter MariAgnes Malkonian (MAM) 

Sources

Email from MariAgnes Malkonian, June 2, 2024. 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56356931/carmine_peter-avantini: accessed May 13, 2024), memorial page for TSgt Carmine Peter Avantini (26 Jul 1923–9 Apr 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56356931, citing Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium; Maintained by MAJ Jimmy Cotton (contributor 48803557).

Headstone Inscription and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942–1949. Microfilm Series A1 43, NAID: 7408555. Records of the American Battle Monuments Commission, 1918–ca. 1995. Record Group 117. The National Archives in Washington, D.C.

"Lest We Forget", Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, May 7, 1945, pg. 6

"Missing in Action", Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, May 11, 1944, pg. 2.

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

RAF Andrews Field, Wikipedia, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Andrews_Field, accessed on May 13, 2024.

"T-Sgt. Avantini Reported Killed in Action April 9", Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, Sept. 23, 1944, pg.2.

Year: 1940; Census Place: Rome, Oneida, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02701; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 33-74

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