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By: Tyler
January
9, 2006
Mr. Joseph
Paul Campanale was born on December
30, 1918 in Akron, Ohio. He died on Thanksgiving Day, November
23, 1944 in Freialdenhoven, Germany. Joseph died clearing field mines
during World War II.
Joseph grew up on Charles Street in Akron, Ohio.
He had three brothers Leonard, John, and Frank, and two sisters, Anna
Marie and Concetta. His two loving parents were
Mary and Angelo Campanale. His father, Angelo,
owned a grocery store on Furnace Street. Joseph didn’t have a job while
growing up. He was a good student who
spent much of his time studying. He
liked to play baseball. Joseph also
learned to play the piano. Joseph
attended Bryan Elementary School in Akron.
He attended North High School and graduated in January, 1937 at
the age of 19. Joseph attended the University of Akron for two years. He was studying to
become an elementary teacher. Joseph
was drafted into the United States Army on February 5th,
1942.
Joseph entered into the Army as a
private, and was soon promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was the Second Lieutenant of the 82nd
Engineer Combat Battalion. Joseph and his Battalion entered Southern Holland on September 12, 1944. Their mission was to clear out German forces in Holland towns in
the two weeks they were stationed there. They cleared out about a dozen towns
of German forces during this time. His platoon crossed the border at Sittard into the German village of Tuddern on October 1st, 1944. His platoon had only “light tanks” and
“A-cars” and were no match for the Germans who had 88 mm long barrel
guns. Many people were injured before
his platoon withdrew from the fight. Lt. Joseph Campanale
was transferred to another 82nd company.
Joseph became platoon leader of 2nd platoon, A
Company. Their job on November 23, 1944, Thanksgiving Day, was to clear a road in Freialdenhoven, Germany of land mines so the ammunition trucks could use the road to
deliver ammunition to the 2nd Armored Division. It was Thanksgiving Day and the troops were
promised real turkey dinners when their jobs were finished. Joseph’s platoon
was taking longer to complete their job than expected. Joseph asked Lt. Fry,
leader of A Company’s 1st platoon, if they would assist in
clearing the mines. Lt. Fry told
Joseph no. A Company’s 1st platoon had already
finished their job and were looking forward to their turkey dinners.
Earlier in the day, Lt. Fry’s platoon found an area where a mine was
supposedly detected, but did not explode when tampered with. A truck was backing up to fill up holes
created by the exploded mines. The truck ran over the undetonated
mine causing it to explode. Joseph was about ten yards behind the truck and
was killed instantly by the explosion.
Lt. Fry also died from wounds he received in the explosion.
Lt. Joseph Paul Campanale died at the age of 25 in Freialdenhoven, Germany. Joseph received the
Purple Heart Medal. Joseph is buried
at Margraten American Military Cemetery in Holland. He is dearly missed by
his entire family, especially his beloved sister, Anna Marie.
  
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