Camps
Held In: STALAG IVB, STALAG IVF, AND STALAG XIIA
How
Long Interned: 287 days
Liberated
/ repatriated:liberated
Date
Liberated: 05/06/45
Age
at Capture: 19
Medals
Received: EUROPEAN AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN RIBBON W/ 2 BATTLE
STARS, WW II VICTORY MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, MEDAL OF HONORABLE
SERVICE WHILE A POW, AND A MEDAL FOR CONSPICUOUS SERVICE BY THE GOVERNOR
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Military
Job: PFC, RIFLEMAN
Company:
NIAGARA SCHOOL SYSTEM
Occupation
after War: TEACHER
Bio:
Angelo J. (Sonny) Mariglio born 12/1/24 in Niagara Falls, NY, died March
4, 1999. Enlisted 9/1/43 at Camp Upton, NY. Army Infantry F358th Reg.
90th Division/WWII Normandy shortly after the breakthrough at St. Lo.
Taken to Amiens through Chartres. Reboarded to Leinburg Stag XIIA. Next
via the infamous boxcars to Stalag IVB and IVF August 1944. Sent to work
hauling trees from the mountains to lumber mills at Mulda near
Chzekoslovakian border – Arbeit Camp.
Early April 1945 before sunrise we were ordered from our sleeping
quarters and packed into a truck under heavy guard. An American fighter
plane spotted us and banked to descend. We were ordered to stay on the
truck but a few of us jumped off. The truck was in flames. The guards
gained control and marched us towards Breslau. Finding out that the
Russians were also marching toward Breslau, they forced us to march back
to where we were, 60 miles. We were all suffering from malnutrition,
blisters, cuts, leg pains due to poor treatment as well as the
indignities from the civilians who jeered and threw stones at us. Many
had to be helped or dragged the last 10 miles.
Liberated by the Russians May 6, 1945. We took off for Chernitz May 7,
1945 then to Camp Lucky Strike in France. June 15, 1945 got back to the
States at Lake Placid for recuperation. Next to Camp Joseph T. Robinson
in Arkansas where I trained raw recruits N.C.O. Discharged December 4,
1945.
Awards and Medals: (1) European African Middle Eastern Ribbon w/2 Battle
Stars; (2) World War II Victory Medal American Theatre Ribbon; (3) Medal
of Honorable Service while a Prisoner of War; (4) Medal for Conspicuous
Service by the Governor for the Legislature of the State of New York.
Graduated from Niagara University in 1949 – Master’s degree in 1960.
Taught in the Niagara Falls school system for 31 years, retiring in June
1984. Hobbies: reading, bowling, gardening, traveling and enjoyed all
sports.
Married Frances Borelli, August 7, 1946. Had five daughters and seven
grandchildren. I read Tom Brokaw’s book and I agree when he said that
we soldiers of WWII were “The greatest generation any society had ever
produced.”
Submitted by his wife of 52-1/2 years, Frances A. Mariglio.
