August 27, 1919 (Brooklyn, NY) – January 31, 2003 (Westport, CT); 83 years old
Married Jeanette Brundage June 27, 1947 in Norwalk, CT
Local address: 72 Grumman Avenue and 290 Main Avenue, Norwalk
Enlisted on September 8, 1941
Serial number 31052114
28TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Name is also John V. Uccellini in some records.
Held in German POW camp Stalag 11B Fallingbostel Prussia (Work Camps) 53-09.
Word has been received that Private First Class John Uccellini, youngest son of Frank Uccellini of 77 Fair Street, is missing somewhere in Germany. The telegram stated that he has been missing since November 8. Private First Class John Uccellini has been in the service 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 awhile 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 of 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.
Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT; unknown plot number
Photo not available
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