To remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war using the tag #IAWW2Heroes on social media.
This entry is a special submission from Gina Kupyers, dedicated to her grandfather.
Anthony G. Dodaro, Jr., born and raised in Bradford, Pa., was the son of Italian immigrants from Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. He was attending the Pennsylvania Military Academy in Chester, PA, when was drafted in August 1943 to fight in World War II.
He was 18 years old at the time he was drafted and he served as a Private First Class (PFC) in Company A of the 78th Battalion in the Central Europe-European Theater. He served as a scout obtaining information on enemy movements and transmitting to the allied camps.
Mr. Dodaro was captured in Anzio, Italy, in May 1944, and transported to a Prisoner of War (POW) camp in Moosburg, Bavaria, Germany [Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3386 Munich 48-11)].
His camp, the largest POW camp in Nazi Germany, was liberated at the end of the war.
If you’d like to make a submission to NIAF’s #IAWW2Heroes initiative, email the photo and description to media@niaf.org.
Benvenuti to the NIAF Pensieri Blog 