++Clarence Michael Romboli++

World War II story

The following is the story of Clarence M. Romboli of South Yarmouth, MA (formerly of Medford, MA and Everett, MA) during his career in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Clarence was born in Tewksbury, MA in September 1918, to Gaetano and Aida Romboli. Gaetano, Aida, and Gaetano’s brother Lugi were all opera singers who belonged to the Boston Opera Company. The three toured the US singing and were known as the Romboli Trio. Clarence (who preferred going by the name Mike) grew up in the city of Everett MA where went to school and graduated Everett High School. In late 1940 he was required to sign up for the “Young Mens” draft (see attached). At the time, the draft only required 1-year service in the military. In January 1941 he was among the first 150 men from Massachusetts drafted (see attached newspaper article). He was officially enlisted in the Army (see enlistment attached) and was stationed at Camp Edwards here on Cape Cod. He was assigned to Battery G, 68 Coastal Artillery (AA) as a PFC Spec 3rd class. He continued his basic training at Camp Edwards. Mike was a personable young soldier who apparently the girls were smitten with as evidenced by the attached photo showing Mike surrounded by lovely young ladies which was published in the Morning Call, Allentown, PA on July 20, 1941. The 68th was stationed at Camp Edwards until December 9th, 1941, when it moved to Boston to take up coastal defense of the City. Mike was due to be discharged in January 1942 under the one-year service rule but ended up serving the duration of the war. At a New Year’s Eve dance in Boston Mike met his eventual wife Mary Hallisey of Medford, (they went on to have a 4-year romance mostly by mail). The 68th CA trained at various locations along the east coast of the US, mostly at Fort Kilmer NJ, VA, and Camp Dix NJ for staging (as evidenced by letters to his sweetheart.) In February 1942 Mike was promoted to Corporal and in June 1942 to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion N68 CA-AA SM. The 68th continued training until November 1942 when it was deployed from Fort Devens, MA to North Africa.

It appears that the 68th was stationed in Algiers and Morocco as evidenced from this quote from the Hammer of Hell Chapter 2 The Hammer is formed The Antiaircraft Artillery Command “Additionally, Major Croker was concerned the units assigned to II Corps were not the best. The 62nd and 68th Coast Artillery Regiments, two Regular Army AAA units, were in Oran and Algiers. But the inexperienced 213th Coast Artillery Regiment was assigned to II Corps. This situation existed because General Eisenhower directed that most of the Antiaircraft Artillery would be in the theater rear. In December 1942, Eisenhower was livid when the Luftwaffe bombed Algiers and the antiaircraft and Allied night fighters seemed incapable of countering them”. 9 Also, Mike wrote home in March 1943 that he was in Casablanca. Unfortunately, morning reports for most of 1943 are either missing or have been destroyed in the fire at the Archives in St, Louis fire. Morning reports start to show up again at the end of 1943 through 1945. From correspondence home in the later part of 1943 Mike writes he is in Sicily. Morning reports show in October 1943 was in Palermo, Sicily. The 68th departed Messina, Sicily traveled to Sbaglia Italy. They then moved on to Magnano, St Picso, Pazzoili and then Caivano, Italy. They left Caivano on January 23rd , 1944 and travelled to Place Grounds, Naples Italy. It appears that Mike may have been part of a forward echelon who boarded LST’s and left for destination unknown, Secret Mission.

While still at sea aboard LST’s off the coast of Nettano they were subject to an air raid which was driven off. On January 26th they were again subject to 4 air attacks which were driven off by AA fire. On January 27th they arrived in Anzio, Italy and took up Bivouac Positions on the beach, where they were subject to 2 more air attacks. See pictures attached of gun installations of the 68th Coastal Artillery at Anzio.

COUNTERBATTERY FIRE BY ANTIAIRCRAFT UNITS was added to the coordinated program of VI Corps artillery against known German Positions and troop concentrations. Here the 68th Coast the Artillery (AA) lowers the muzzle of a 90-mm. rifle to add to the barrage.

"See the source image"

On January 29th they met up with the forward echelon, they took up tactical positions and were subject to 2 air attacks. There are no morning reports for month of February 1944 but from letters home that they were still in Anzio. On March 9th they were subject to heavy artillery shelling and damaged was done to the headquarters building, a jeep, one ambulance and one man was killed in action. Also, on that day they were subject to 2 air raids. On March 10th again subject to air attacks and heavy shelling.

March 10 Staff Sergeant CM Romboli was transferred in grade to Regimental Headquarters Battery 68th CA (AA) per VOCO.

March 11th at Anzio Regt’l HQ Btry 68th CA(AA) S/Sgt CM Romboli was appointed Technical Sergeant. T/Sgt Romboli was cited and awarded the Good Conduct Medal. (see newspaper article attached)

June 3rd Mike was transferred in grade from Reg’t HG Bttry per SO #687 to HQ Btry 2 68 CA(AA).

June 1944 the 68th CA(AA) was disbanded and Romboli was transferred to the 895th AW Bn. Hq BTRY.

On June 7th, the 895th departed Anzio for Nettuno.

On June 12th at Civitavecchia T/Sgt CM Romboli was promoted to Master Sergeant per SO #3 895th AAA AW Bn.

July 1st the 895th left Civitavecchia and travelled to San Marinella, Sparanino, Battipugli. Villa Literno and finally to Bagnolia Italy where on August 16th boarded LST’s and departed for France.

The 895th arrived in France and disembarked onto Green Beach. It travelled through France from August to arriving at the town of Piadorf on December 31, 1944.

In February 1945 while still at Piadorf Mike was awarded a 30-day furlough based on the point system back to the states. He departed France through Normandy aboard the Queen Mary, arriving in NY on March 11th.

On April 2, 1945 Mike married his long-time sweetheart Mary at the Immaculate Conception Church in Malden, MA. Mike and Mary enjoyed a short honeymoon and time together as he had to report back to duty in France.

Mike was not back but a short time when on May 8, 1945 Germany surrendered and the war in Europe was over. Again, based on the point system Mike was among the first men from the City of Everett MA discharged (see attached) and was given an honorable discharged on May 12,1945. Mike stated in an interview at his discharge at Fort Dix, MA “I never expected to be discharged but figured we would be sent to the Pacific”. (see attached)

Mike and Mary settled down to live in Medford, MA where they lived until 1979 raising 3 children 2 boys and a girl. Then in 1979 they moved down to South Yarmouth where they lived together till Mike’s passing in January 2004. Mary continued to live in South Yarmouth until her passing in March 2011. They are both buried in the Bourne National Cemetery. (see attached)

Clarence M Romboli