Guide to the Ralph V. Palermo Papers and Photographs 1939-2000, bulk 1943-1945

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Ralph V. Palermo Papers and Photographs
Collection Number
MSS 0753
Extent
3.5 linear feet (2 boxes + O/S)
Date
1939-2000, bulk 1943-1945
Abstract
Ralph V. Palermo was born on January 25, 1919, to Italian immigrants Luigi and Giovanna Palermo in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.In January 1942, Palermo enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as a personnel clerk to Company C, 9th Medical Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Throughout his military service, Palermo served in eight campaigns, mostly under Generals Patton and Eisenhower in North Africa, France, and Germany. The Ralph V. Palermo Papers and Photographs primarily consist of materials related to Palermo's service in World War II.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Sierra Green.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Ralph V. Palermo was born on January 25, 1919, to Italian immigrants Luigi and Giovanna Palermo in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. One of eight children, Palermo spent his youth living in McKees Rocks, Pa. He graduated from Stowe High School, McKees Rocks, Pa. in 1936.

In January 1942, Palermo enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as a personnel clerk to Company C, 9th Medical Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Throughout his military service, Palermo served in eight campaigns, mostly under Generals Patton and Eisenhower in North Africa, France, and Germany. While participating in these campaigns, Palermo saw action as a medic and relief ambulance driver in major battles, including the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, D-Day landings on Utah Beach, and the Battle of Cherbourg. He was honorably discharged in September 1945 with the rank of staff sergeant and received awards including a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge. Palermo married Nellie Cracciola in 1947 and with her had two children, Ralph, Jr., and Patricia.

Following his discharge from military service, Palermo worked as an insurance agent until his retirement. Beyond his work as an insurance agent, Palermo participated in many veterans and civic organizations throughout the 1990s. As a member of the Italian-American War Veterans, Palermo served as State Commander.

Ralph V. Palermo died on February 10, 2000.

Scope and Content Notes

The Ralph V. Palermo Papers and Photographs primarily consist of materials related to Palermo's service in World War II. Discharge papers, a copy of his wartime diary, personal correspondence, messages from 9th Infantry Division headquarters, guidebooks, maps, newspaper clippings, postcards, photographs and a scrapbook document Palermo's participation in various military campaigns. In particular, the photographs in this collection capture images from his training at Fort Bragg and Camp Lee as well as from his service in North Africa, Italy, England, Belgium, France, and Germany. In addition, various awards and certificates in this collection pertain to and document Palermo's involvement in the Italian American War Veterans. Also included in this collection are various biographical materials related to Palermo. Oversize material consists of a silk map of France with the occupied areas demarcated. On this map Palermo marked the movements of his infantry division throughout France and Belgium, including its landing on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of Cherbourg.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Patty Onesta in 2011.

Archives accession # 2011.0109

Preferred Citation

Ralph V. Palermo Papers and Photographs, 1939-2000, MSS 0753, Italian American Collection, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Sierra Green on 03/16/2012.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Separated Materials

McKees Rocks Gazette of servicemen from McKees Rocks, Pa. transferred to newspaper collection.

Subjects

    Geographic Names

    • United States--Army Medical Corps

    Other Subjects

    • World War, 1939-1945--Africa
    • World War, 1939-1945--Belgium
    • World War, 1939-1945--France
    • World War, 1939-1945--Germany
    • World War, 1939-1945-- Italy
    • Medicine, military--United States

Container List