Michael Albert Aiello was born October 28, 1922, in Rome, New York, to Alfonso (1899-1986) and Alice Van Schorick (1906-1953) Aiello. Alfonso was born in Terranova, Calabria, Italy, on October 22, 1899, and arrived in the United States on the SS Cretic on November 1, 1907. He was granted U.S. citizenship on December 6, 1939. Alfonso and Alice were married in Rome, New York. Their second son, Joseph Johnny Aiello was born January 27, 1924, in Rome, New York. According to the 1940 U.S. Census Record, Alfonso worked as a watchman for the gas and electric company and Alice was a housewife.

Michael attended Fort Stanwix School and was a member of St. John the Baptist Church. Michael spent a year with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) after graduation. He registered for the draft on June 30, 1942. Michael was 5’11 ½”, 164 pounds, with black hair and green eyes. At that time, Michael was employed by Revere Copper and Brass Company in Rome, New York.

Michael’s father, Alfonso Aiello, served in WWI and again enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 28, 1942. He served at Fort Sam Houston, TX, until January 1943, at which time he was given a medical discharge due to chronic arthritis. He died on October 15, 1986, and is buried at St.John’s Cemetery in Rome, New York.

On January 22, 1945, Michael’s mother, Alice, received from her son the Purple Heart he was awarded for an injury sustained in combat in November, 1944. A few hours later, on that same day, she received a telegram stating Michael was seriously wounded in combat in Luxembourg on January 5, 1945. He was transported to France where he succumbed to those injuries on January 7, 1945. He was again awarded the Purple Heart.

Because PFC Aiello served in Luxembourg in January, 1945, he would have been actively involved in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. During the battle, the 26th Infantry Division was diverted to Luxembourg to thwart the German offensive.

From “A Fiery Fight for a Frozen Hell,” by James Bilder for Warfare History Network website

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/fiery-fight-for-a-frozen-hell/

“On December 21, the 5th was detached from Maj. Gen. Walton “Bulldog” Walker’s XX Corps and assigned to Maj. Gen. Manton Eddy’s XII Corps. It was to be sent northwest toward Diekirch to engage the Germans there and liberate the town. The men of the 5th were loaded onto trucks, tanks, jeeps, or simply walked as they moved into Luxembourg without sleep or hot chow. Meanwhile, Patton would use his beloved 4th Armored Division, with the 26th and 80th Infantry Divisions in support, to swing wide to the left and make an end run to Bastogne to break through to the 101st Airborne.

Things were suddenly looking very bad for the Germans. Along the far western boundary of Luxembourg, the American 26th “Yankee” and 90th “Tough Hombres” Infantry Divisions had moved on Wiltz and were driving back the German 5th Parachute Division, which had overextended its supply lines and had been without relief.”

From the Sons of Liberty Museum website – 26h Infantry Division:

https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/26th-infantry-division-ww2.cfm

“On December 14, the Division returned to Metz, and a few days later rushed to the aid of the First Army in the Ardennes sector. On Christmas Day, the 26th celebrated its arrival at the scene of trouble by launching an attack on the south side of the German salient extending into Belgium. Many units in that area were trying desperately to break through the German lines and relieve the 101st Airborne, making its stand at Bastogne. One of the first outfits to reach the beleaguered forces was the 26th. Santa Claus himself couldn’t have been better received.”

On May 9, 1945, the Auxiliary of Henry P Smith Post 24, American Legion, hosted a special dinner for the Rome, NY, Gold Star Mothers of both WWI and WWII. Mrs. Alice Uvanni was one of those honored.

On July 30, 1948, PFC Michael A. Aiello’s body was returned to Rome, NY, along with the bodies of two other local men, PFC Michael Yaworski and Pvt Clifford Freeman, who were also killed in action. Full military honors were given the three young men.

A funeral service for PFC Aiello was held on July 31, 1948, at the home of his mother and at the Bottini and Bush Funeral Home. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery, Rome, NY.

Sources

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21056255/michael_a-aiello: accessed April 2, 2024), memorial page for PFC Michael A. Aiello (28 Oct 1922–7 Jan 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 21056255, citing Saint Johns Cemetery, Rome, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Susan Moors (contributor 47987781). 

https://home.army.mil/jackson/about/history

http://www.themilitarystandard.com/army_base/sc/fort_jackson-2.php

https://www.army.mil/article/171474/once_upon_a_time_before_fort_jackson_columbia_was_home_to_five_smaller_army_camps

Camp Gordon GA (now Fort Eisenhower)

https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/wwi/pt02/ch08/pt02-ch08-sec05.html

https://home.army.mil/eisenhower/about/history

26th Infantry Division

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/fiery-fight-for-a-frozen-hell/

https://www.loc.gov/collections/world-war-ii-maps-military-situation-maps-from-1944-to-1945/articles-and-essays/the-battle-of-the-bulge/printable-timeline/

https://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/7-8/7-8_21.htm

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/battles-elsenborn-ridge-part-ii

https://www.armydivs.com/26th-infantry-division

https://history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/26id-eto.htm

https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/an-infantryman-in-the-battle-of-the-bulge/

https://www.abmc.gov/db-abmc-burial-unit/101st-infantry-regiment-26th-infantry-division

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/26th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

https://www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org/26th-infantry-division-ww2.cfm

During World War I, a press conference of Boston newspapermen was called by the Commanding General to determine a nickname for this division, which had just been inducted from New England National Guard units. The adopted suggestion was, "Call it the 'Yankee Division' as all New Englanders are Yankees", and a dark blue monogrammed 'YD' on an olive drab background was officially designated as the division insignia.

https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=1544&MemID=2047

Fort Stanwix School, Rome NY

https://www.newyorkschools.com/schools/fort-stanwix-elementary-school.html

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