Army Sergeant Carlo Ralph Petrella was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 6, 1922, the son of Dominick “Pete” Petrella, (1888-1965) and Premetta Mary Colombini, (1904-1969). His father immigrated to America aboard the SS Credic from Naples, Italy in 1911 with his occupation listed as chemist. He was born in Acerra, Italy and his wife Premetta in Pisa. They began their life in America in Birmingham, Alabama and relocated to Pensacola around 1930. Upon arrival, Dominick went to work as a chemist for the Crystal Ice Company at 1511 West Government Street. The family was established in a rental house at 1515 West Garden Street for $25.00 per month. By 1940, Dominick was the manager of the ice company and had purchased a home at 2520 West Strong Street valued at $3,500. The house was built in 1925 and still stands today.
Their son, Carlo Ralph graduated from Pensacola High School in 1941 and had gone to work for the Spearman Brewery on Barrancas Avenue. The Spearman's were connected to the Crystal Ice Company where Carlo's father was the manager. But by 1942, America was in desperate need of its soldiers and sailors. Therefore, Carlo was inducted into the Army on November 2, 1942 and sent to Camp Blanding, Florida for processing. After a short boot camp, he was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 361st Infantry Regiment with the 91st Infantry Division. The division was kept in the United States until their departure for North Africa on April 3, 1944. Arriving on April 10th, they began training in French Morocco for the upcoming invasion of Italy. Carlo's regiment was detached and sent ahead of the others, landing in Naples where his parents had departed for America in 1911.
On May 31st, the regiment embarked aboard LST's and sailed for the Anzio beachhead where they went ashore amongst the remnants of carnage of the original landing. The regiment was then attached to the boys from Texas of the 36th Infantry Division. That night, the regiment moved into the hilly terrain to the north and by midnight of June 2. 1944, the entire 361st was in position for the next day's battle. That morning the regiment would suffer its first casualties of the war as the German artillery opened up at 0930 hours. As the regiment pushed on the German resistance stiffened inflicting heavy casualties but not enough to stop the Americans. As night fell, so did German artillery shells as the enemy fell back and gave way to the 361st.
Still pushing forward, the 361st was ordered to capture Tarquinia on June 9th then move on toward Nunxiatello. On the morning of June 10th, the regiment's third battalion led the attack on Nunxiatello but here the Germans dug in and let loose with everything they had. And it was here that Sergeant Carlo Petrella was killed in action, just one of the thousands of casualties suffered. He was originally reported as missing in action, but his remains were located and buried in a temporary military cemetery. Per his family's request, his remains were disinterred and brought home to Pensacola in July 1949. Here, he was buried with full military honors in the St. John's Cemetery where he rests today amongst his family.
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