Albert J. Caraciolo was born on December 3, 1923 to Dominic and Josephine lived at 224 North Darlington Street in West Chester. Albert was one of 8 children: Albert, Anthony, Catherine, Bessie, Mary, Helen, Ann and Stella.  His parents owned and operated a grocery store at 345 W. Chestnut Street.   

Albert was known as a quiet but fun loving guy.  His neighbor, Sam Ricardo, remembers that he was a talented sketch artist, and sketched the Court house and “Old Glory” monument. 

Albert attended St. Agnes High school on 200 the block of West Gay St in West Chester, graduating in 1941.  He then obtained employment as a welder at the John Wood Company in Conshohocken. 

Albert entered the Army in late 1942.   He received basic training, then training as a paratrooper, earning his silver wings in February 1944. He returned home on a 12 day leave in March, the last time his family saw him alive.  Albert then was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for advanced training. He was sent overseas to the European Theater in April. 

Albert served with the 517^th Infantry Parachute Combat Team. The 517th Combat Team was one of the Army’s first elite combat units in WWII, and the only independent Combat Team which served in the European Theater during the war. It was composed of the 517^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 406^th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, and the 596^th Parachute Combat Engineer Company. These units originally came from the 17^th Airborne Division. Albert was assigned to Company C of the Parachute Regiment. 

The 517^th  PRCT entered combat in Northern Italy in June 1944.  They parachuted into combat to support the landings in Southern France “Operation Dragoon” in August capturing St Vallier. (This is not to be confused with the ‘D-Day landings at Normandy France on June 6th). The 517^th fought in a number of battles in our move through France.  In early December, they were stationed at Soissons in Northern France, about 60 miles northwest of Paris. 

The night of December 15-16, the Germans launched their last great offensive in the unusually harsh winter.  Three German Armored Divisions attached weak Allied positions in the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxemburg. The attack achieved surprise, and they broke through our lines. Due to the severe weather, our aircraft were grounded, and air support and supplies were not available for several days.  This became known as the Battle of the Bulge – as the German offensive created a huge bulge in our lines.

The 517^th PRCT was sent into action, as well as a number of other Divisions and units.  There was a mad rush to stop the German advance and to reinforce our lines. Company C of the 517 PRCT was sent by trucks (poor weather prevented airlift), to Stavelot, Belgium. From there they advanced in the town of Coules, and on to Logbierme. Albert’s unit then came under heavy sniper fire, It was during this battle that Albert lost his life.

 

Memorial for Albert & comrades @ Lobierme.  Click for larger image.

Corporal Albert J. Caraciolo died on January 14, 1945 in Belgium.  His parents received the dreaded telegram on January 29^th, but it included very little information.  His mother tried in vain to find out about her son’s death.  She published notices in September that she would gladly pay expenses or telephone charges for anyone who could provide her with information on her Albert’s death.

Albert was initially buried in France, at the Rhone American Cemetery, in Belgium. His body was returned home in November 1947.  His parents had recently moved from West Chester to Norristown.  On Saturday November 8^th, a Military funeral was held at his parent’s new home at 552 Noble St. followed by Solemn Requiem Mass at St. Agnes Church in West Chester.  Albert was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery, just north of West Chester on Rt. 100, with full military honors. 

Corporal Albert J. Caraciolo received the Bronze Star for exemplary conduct in ground combat, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Service Ribbon,  European –African Middle Eastern Campaign Service Ribbon with two bronze stars, the Distinguished Unit Emblem, the Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Marksman Badge with Riffle Bar, as well as the Purple Heart. 

His brother, Private Anthony Caraciolo, served in the Aleutians.

His mother published the following verse to honor her lost son:

To My Soldier Boy
- Josephine Caraciolo

I’ve been grieving about you dear Albert
And shedding so many tears.
Tears, my boy, I shed in silence
During the last two lonely years. 

The telegram came so sudden,
Right out of a clear blue sky.
Oh, the shock was so terrific,
For you were too young to die. 

But this is my greatest sorrow,
And how can I help but cry.
You never got the chance, my boy,
To bid your loved ones goodbye.

When just 18, you volunteered,
Without a fear of the enemy’s gun.
Never, never thinking, my dear son,
You would lose your life at twenty-one. 

On that bitter cold day, in Belgium,
January the 14^th, nineteen forty-five,
You went out on a mission, smiling,
But you didn’t come back alive. 

A letter tells me you went suddenly,
With no time to realize, of course.
We would get that awful message
And shed tears of blood over your loss. 

So only God knows the sorrow,
Only God knows the ache,
That is always in my heart
With every breath I take. 

But there’s still one consolation left,
That kind of eases my sad heart.
I know we’ll meet again some day,
Never, never more to part. 

Some day, I hope to see you, son.
Some day, I know not when,
To hear you call me “Little Mom”
When we shall be together again. 

Then as we clasp each other’s hand
The Lord will make me understand
Why on earth we had to part.
Then He will heal my broken heart. 

All my tears will turn to joy my boy,
As we go walking, side by side
With Angels singing, joy bells ringing.
Then your “Little Mom” will be satisfied. 

And if by some miracle, dear, Albert,
To your loved ones you should come back.
Why you wouldn’t know your “little Mom”’
Who is always dressed in black. 

Dressed in black for you, dear,
For life will never be the same
But I never miss a day dear Albert,
That I don’t mention your name. 

So I won’t say good-bye forever, Son,
For I know that it’s just for a while
It may be days, or it may be years.
But through my tears I’ll try and smile. 

So “Little Mom”, my boy, will try her best
With God’s help to get along.
I know it’s true, I’ll be seeing you.
Until then, “So long, my boy”, so long