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. This entry is a special submission from Joanna Allegretti in honor of her grandfather.
Bernard Allegretti was born and raised in Trenton, N.J. His parents emigrated from San Valentino and Monteleone di Spoleto, both towns in the region of Umbria.
Allegretti was 24 years old when he entered the U.S. Army in 1942. He went through boot camp training at Camp Forrest, Tenn., and aviation cadet training in Fort Worth, Texas.
Before his service, he worked in a steel mill making wire cable for suspension bridges. During the war, the production was switched to making submarine nets and while the men fought overseas, many of the positions in the factory were held by women.
Allegretti was stationed in the Pacific theater, on Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Gilbert Islands, and the Marshall Islands.
When he completed his service in 1945, he returned to Trenton and resumed his job in the steel mill.
Allegretti was a lifelong member of The Monteleonese Society, a fraternal organization of Italians who emigrated from Monteleone di Spoleto in Umbria to the United States.
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 
I lived next door for many years. Nice man.