Ralph J. Arezzo
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Ralph J. Arezzo
Mr. Arezzo entered the Army on October 24, 1942.
He served as a Technician Fifth Grade and a truck driver with the 12th Armored "Hellcats" Division and 56th Armored Infantry Battalion as a combat medic and surgical technician
He transported evacuated wounded from the battlefield day and night under heavy fire. Shipped to the European Theater. They spent 14 days aboard ship and were attacked by enemy submarines en route. He served in Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe.
He received the following: Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (for evacuating wounded over a bridge under heavy mortar fire), Meritorious Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Medical Badge, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with three battle stars, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Service Medal with Germany Clasp and World War II Victory Medal.
From the Bronze Star citation: "Upon reaching the wounded, Technician Arezzo dismounted in the face of heavy enemy small arms fire and proceeded to treat and then evacuate them to the safety of the aid station. Arezzo's swift action was undoubtedly instrumental in saving the lives of these soldiers."
Mr. Arezzo was honorably discharged on December 11, 1945, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 25.
