Vincent Biondi

It is with a heavy heart that I report a veteran I was  very close with, Vincent Biondi, passed away November 18th 2016, at age 99 .

Vincent Biondi, was born August 19, 1917 in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Washington,  D.C. area while still very young.   Born to Italian immigrants,  Guiseppina  and Dominic Biondi, and raised by his widowed Mother.  Mr. Biondi was drafted into the U. S. Army on October 13, 1941.  After several months of training,  Mr. Biondi was assigned to D.C. Company, 16 Engineer ,  
Battalion, 1st Armored Division.

He went overseas in May of 1942, arriving in Northern Ireland to continue his training.  Interestingly enough, Mr. Biondi said he and the rest of the 1st Armored Division were stationed closet to the border with The Republic of Ireland and growing fears of an Irish attack on British controlled Northern countries; fortunately, this threat never materialized.   

Just before Christmas in 1942.  Mr. Biondi landed in North Africa to participate in the ongoing Operation Torch, one of the most memorable events of the war for Mr. Biondi occurred at the village of Sened Station,   Tunisia,  in January 1943 in which he shot down a Stuka dive bomber that was in the process of attacking his Armored Column.  A soldier was a few jeeps ahead of him-Robert Posner- was saved because of Mr. Biondi's actions.  After the campaign concluded in May 1943, Mr. Biondi landed in Naples, Italy, in October of the same year.  While there he was able to visit his Aunt and several cousins whom he had never met before.  

After making several costly attacks on The Winter Line and the Monte Cassino area, Mr. Biondi took part in the disastrous Anzio landings in January-February, 1944.  Mr. Biondi said that he and the engineers were primarily clearing mines from the beach and surrounding foothills, but at times did experience direct combat with the Germans.  Specifically, Mr. Biondi recalled in his area he and his fellow engineers were fighting against the 114th Jäger Devision,  which had been hunting down  Yugoslavian partisans before being ordered further South to counter the invasion; this unit became notorious for the later crimes in Italy.  

After the final breakthrough at Anzio in May 1944, Mr. Biondi remained with his unit until the wars end.  Not long after the war, Mr. Biondi, met Mary Lugo-a former resident of Puerto Rico- while trying to find work in Miami.  The two married in 1947, and remained so until Mary passed away in 2012.

Like so many, of these interviews, I went to record an interesting, strong, only to come away with so much more. I cannot express enough thanks to the family-Especially daughter Aileen Young-for inviting me into their lives.  

Thank you so much for your service Mr. Biondi. Via Con Dio.

Sean O' Dwyer  
November 18, 2016.

Thank you Mr. Sean O'Dwyer for this beautiful documentation of our loved Father , Vincent Biondi's,  Military History.  You have given us a written gift of our Fathers life we can share with future generations in our family.   This is a priceless gift for us.  

Vincent Biondi, son of Guiseppina and Dominic Biondi.   Born August 19, 1917.  Passed away November 18, 2016.  He is survived by Daughters Cheryl Ryder,  Aileen Young  (husband  David)
Grandchildren,  Gary Calero,  Jerry Calero,  Michelle Pierce (husband Kyle)    Michael Ryder ( wife Taylor) Janel Ryder.   Niece Joanna Pietro ( Husband Don)  Cousins  Henry Visconti (wife Ramona)   Great Grandchildren, Nieces and & Nephews ,  
And extended family Migdalia Inocencio & children.  


Service will be held January 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Northwest Baptist Church, 5514 NW  23rd Ave., Gainesville Fl 32606.