Uno Parantala

Uno W. Parantala of Floodwood, Minnesoa entered the Army in August 1943.

He was a private first class and an automatic rifleman with Company C, 339th Infantry Regiment., 85th Infantry Division in the Fifth Army. He served at Rome-Arno and the Gustav and Gothic lines in the Italian campaign.

He was in in a squad of infantrymen who found $93 million in gold bars and Italian crown jewels in a cave in northern Italy while searching for hidden German ammunition. Their progress was blocked by heavy steel door. With the help of an Italian locksmith, they managed to open the door and found 61,000 pounds of gold bars and a strongbox of crown jewels. Fifth Army and civilian experts estimated the value at $93 million.

He received the: Combat Infantryman Badge, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

He was discharged in September 1945.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 238.

Support The Museum - Help us continue our work of saving and educating the public about our local veterans. Visit us on Facebook and keep up to date with us!

Sign up for eNews