Joseph J. Farino was born on February 5, 1922 to Frank and Philomena Farino who lived at 465 Freemont Street in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Joseph was one of four children including Philomena, Joseph, Victoria, and Anthony.His father was 13 years old, he immigrated to our country.  He worked as a supervisor at Phoenixville Steel Company.

Joseph attended St. Mary’s school, at South and Grant Streets, (still used by the parish for church activities).  He was a member of the Santa Anna Italian-American Club, and  St. Mary’s Church.

Joseph worked at the Ehret Magnesia Company. The Ehert Magnesia Company manufactured asbestos insulation. It was a critical industry for defense; steam pipe insulation greatly increased the efficiency of steam power plants on Navy ships.  The plant was located at Port Kennedy, near where Route 422 crosses the Schuykill River, part of the Valley Forge Historic Park today. Joe later worked for Phoenixville Steel. 

Joseph had black hair, brown eyes, and was small framed.  He enjoyed gardening in his spare time.

Joseph was drafted into the Army, and after basic training was assigned to the 338^th Infantry Regiment, 85^th Infantry (Custer) Division.  This is the same division that Heroes Leroy Barnes from Downingtown, William Carey (West Chester), Walter Ford (Coatesville) and James Marinelli (Downingtown) served.

The 85^th was the second all draftee division to enter combat during World War II. The Division was activated at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in the spring of 1942.  The Division received advanced training in the swamps of Louisiana, and Desert Training in California.

Joseph’s division arrived overseas at Casablanca, French Morocco, in North Africa January 2, 1944.  They received amphibious training in Algeria from February to March. They arrived in Naples on March 28^th.  The division was sent north of the Garigliano River to defend against the GUSTAV Line. The GUSTAV Line was a German heavily fortified defensive line south of Rome, which virtually ground the Allied forces to a halt.

On May 11^th his Division launched its attack on the GUSTAV Line, breaking through and opening the road to the Anzio Beachhead.  Joseph’s Division continued it’s drive towards Rome, liberating the city on June 5^th.

 Joseph wrote home that his unit went past their objective and captured 17 prisoners, an enemy machine gun, an anti aircraft gun, a 75 millimeter gun and 400 rounds of ammunition.  He wrote that they “got a kick out of sleeping in beds they found in a deserted home…. It was the best night’s sleep we had in a long time.”

 The 85^th then attacked the mountainous Gothic line in August.

Private Joseph J. Farino was Killed In Action on September 20, 1944. He was buried in a local military cemetery, Castle Fiorentino, near Florence, Italy.

 A Solemn Memorial High Mass was celebrated in honor of Joseph on Thursday October 19^th at St. Mary’s.

 In 1948, After the war, Joseph’s body was brought back for burial in his home country.  Joseph’s flag draped casket received a military escort  from Philadelphia.  Services were held at the Devlin Funeral Home at 304 Franklin Avenue on Wednesday November 17^th.    A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s, with interment at their cemetery with Full Military Honors. 

Joseph’s brother Anthony also served in the war.

 
Joseph's grave stone