DOB/DOD: August 27, 1919 (Brooklyn, NY) – January 31, 2003 (Westport, CT); 83 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Jeanette Brundage (1914-1980) on June 27, 1947, in Norwalk, CT
CHILDREN: One stepdaughter, Jean Fontaine (?-?).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 72 Grumman Avenue and 290 Main Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: September 8, 1941
DISCHARGE: September 28, 1945
SERVICE NUMBER: 31052114
UNIT: 28th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Ferdinando “Ferdi” (1887-1960) and Ines Rigolini Uccellini (1885-1928). Five sisters, Ann I. Uccellini DeMare (1909-1987), Virginia “Regina” Uccellini Brennan (1916-2002), Johanna Uccellini (1920-2018), Josephine Uccellini Boardman (1923-2017), Norma Uccellini Hall (1926-2010), and Constance (1928-1928). Two brothers, Ethelbert J. “Bert” (1911-1979) and Frederick (1913-).
OTHER: His name is also John V. Uccellini in some records.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Held in German POW camp Stalag 11B Fallingbostel Prussia (Work Camps) 53-09.
From The Norwalk Hour newspaper November 27, 1944
Word has been received that Private First Class John Uccellini, the youngest son of Frank Uccellini of 77 Fair Street, is missing somewhere in Germany. The telegram stated that he had been missing since November 8. Private First Class John Uccellini has been in the service for three years and two months and served with the Pennsylvania Keystone Division, known as the 28th Infantry Division, which is fighting in the First Army. In its action south of St. Lo, the 28th Division became known as the “Bloody Bucket Division,” partly because of the red bucket-shaped Keystone flash worn by the men and partly because of a captured German officer who thought the patch might stand for that after he had seen how the men of that division fought. Before going overseas, the outfit participated in maneuvers in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas. It also trained for several months in South Wales and Southern England before going to France. Private First Class Uccellini was recently awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. John also has an older brother, Technical Sergeant Fred J. Uccellini, who was recently wounded somewhere in Italy. It was the third time Sergeant Uccellini had been wounded.
From The Norwalk Hour March 15, 1945
Private First Class John Uccellini, son of Frank Uccellini of 77 Fair Street, who was reported by the War Department as missing in action in Germany since November 8, is a prisoner of war in a German camp according to word from him received by his family this week. The first news, a card, was sent to his brother, Bert Uccellini of 35 Stuart Avenue, who received it on Monday. Dated December 9, its brief message read, “…I guess by now you know that I was wounded and taken prisoner of war in Germany. I was taken to a German hospital for a while, and they did take good care of me. Feeling fine and hope to hear the same from you.” The second message, a letter dated November 19, was received by his father on Tuesday and, in addition to the above information, told that Private First Class Uccellini had sustained shrapnel wounds on the left arm. Private First Class Uccellini has been in the service for more than three years and served with the Pennsylvania Keystone Division, which is fighting in the First Army. Before going overseas, the outfit participated in maneuvers in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas. It also trained for several months in South Wales and Southern England before going to France. Private First Class Uccellini, who recently received the Combat Infantry badge, has a brother, Technical Sergeant Fred J. Uccellini, now in Marseilles, France.
From The Norwalk Hour February 1, 2003
John V. Uccellini, 83, of Norwalk, died Friday morning at Mediplex of Westport. He was the husband of the late Jean Brundage Uccellini. Mr. Uccellini was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 27, 1919, the son of the late Ferdinand and Ines Rigolini Uccellini. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Uccellini was a Prisoner of War and was also awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medals. After the war, he was employed as an engineer for the Dixon-Ticonderoga Company in Stamford. Survivors include 3 sisters, Josephine Boardman of Ridgefield, Johanna Nelson of Danbury, and Norma Hall of Florida, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by 2 brothers, Fred and Bert Uccellini, and 2 sisters, Ann DeMare and Virginia Brennan, and a stepdaughter, Jean Fontaine. Graveside services will be held Monday, February 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Cemetery in Norwalk. There are no visiting hours. The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk is handling arrangements.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; unknown plot number
Photo pending
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