August 12, 1920 (Westport, CT) – February 14, 1944; 23 years old
Married to Evelyn Arnold Venezia (1925-2011) on September 23, 1943, in Norwalk
Last local address: 299 Westport Avenue, Norwalk
Enlisted October 3, 1942
Service number: 31193038
Unit: 450th Bomber Group (Heavy), 723rd Bomber Squadron
Born to Giuseppi “Joseph” (1886-1932) and Paola “Pauline” Renzulli Venezia (1893-1963). Both parents were born in Italy. Sisters, Florence “Fanny” Venezia (1922-), Vera Venezia Fiore (1924-2006) and Olympia Venezia Eglinton (1925-2019). Brothers, Michael (1923-2011) and Louis (1927-2019). Stepbrother, Pasquale “Patsy” A. Gugliemella (1914-1994) and stepsister, Maria “Mary” Gugliemella (1916-?).
Awarded the Air Medal (3 times).
Initially listed as Missing In Action, declared dead on February 14, 1944.
From 450thBG.com
From The Norwalk Hour March 14, 1944
Sergeant Peter J. Venezia, the husband of Evelyn Arnold Venezia of 144 Flax Hill Road and son of Mrs. Pauline Venezia Ferraro of 299 Westport Avenue, is missing in action over the Italian front according to word received last night from the War Department. He is an engineer-gunner in the U.S. Air Corps. Mrs. Venezia received a letter from her husband yesterday afternoon. The letter was dated February 13 and said he was well. Last night at 10 o’clock she received the War Department telegram informing her he had been missing since February 14.
From The Norwalk Hour November 9, 1944
Staff Sergeant Peter J. Venezia of the United States Army Air Forces reported missing in action over Italy since February 14, has been awarded the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Clusters “for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy from January 15 until February 8,” according to word received a few days ago by his wife, the former Evelyn May Arnold, who resides at 144 Flax Hill Road. Notice of the award, received from the Fifteenth Air Force Headquarters, included a letter from the War Department in which Mrs. Venezia was informed that to date no further information is available regarding her husband. Letters sent to Mrs. Venezia by the wives or mothers of other personnel on the B-24 bomber on which Staff Sergeant Venezia was an engineer – gunner, indicate that three of the men were taken as prisoners and one was killed when the crew was forced to bail out as the plane had been struck by enemy aircraft. No word has been received regarding the other members. Sergeant Venezia, a former employee of Remington Arms in Bridgeport, entered the Army on October 17, 1942. He had his basic training at Atlantic City. New Jersey, later attending Mechanic School at Goldsboro, North Carolina. Subsequent stations were in Florida, New Mexico, and Utah. He went overseas in November 1943. Staff Sergeant Venezia is the son of Mrs. Pauline Venezia Ferraro of 299 Westport Avenue and has two brothers in the service: Technical Sergeant Michael Venezia with the Air Force in England, and Private First Class Pat Gugimella, now stationed in Massachusetts but who has been in overseas service.
From The Norwalk Hour, June 25, 1945
Staff Sergeant Peter J. Venezia of the Army Air Force, an engineer gunner was killed in action in Europe on February 14, 1944, the date on which he was previously reported as missing in action, according to the War Department telegrams received yesterday by his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Arnold Venezia of 144 Flax Hill Road, and his mother, Mrs. Pauline Ferraro of 299 Westport Avenue. The message from Adjutant General Uho said in part, “Staff Sergeant Peter J. Venezia, who was previously reported missing in action, was killed in action on February 14, 1944, over Italy… unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse in time in reporting his death.” Staff Sergeant Venezia, who was awarded the Air Medal and oak leaf clusters for meritorious achievement after he was reported as missing, was with the Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport before he went into the Army in October 1942. He had his basic training at Atlantic City, New Jersey, and later attended Mechanics School at Goldsboro, North Carolina. Subsequent stations were in Florida, New Mexico, and Utah. He went overseas in November 1943. Besides his wife, to whom he was married on September 23, 1943, and his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Technical Sergeant Michael Venezia, now in this country after several months of overseas service; and Louis Venezia of this city; three sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Lomazzo, Mrs. Vera Fiore, and Miss Olympia Venezia of this city; a half-sister, Miss Mary Gugliemella of this city and a half-brother, Private First Class Pat Gugliemella of the U.S. Army.
From The Norwalk Hour July 7, 1949
Funeral services for Staff Sergeant Peter J. Venezia, engineer and gunner in the Army Air Force who was killed in action over Italy on February 14, 1944, were held at 9 A.M. today at the Fable Funeral Home, Post Road, Westport. Rev Henry E. Flanagan, Pastor of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, officiated. Pallbearers were: John Roberto, Americo Renzulli, Dominick Renzulli, Albert Iannacone, and Louis Zarelli, all of Norwalk, and Vito DiCicco of Westport. Interment was in the soldier’s plot, Riverside Cemetery.
Memorialized in Old Assumption Cemetery, Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut. Photos by webmaster.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk Connecticut; Section 11, Plot 1. Photo by webmaster.
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