World War II Exhibit
A County at War
World War II (WWII) began in Europe in 1939, but the United States did not officially enter the war until December 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To ready the nation for war, the federal government called on citizens to do their part on the homefront. With more than 900,000 Pennsylvania men and some 22,000 women serving in the armed forces, those at home were left to serve their country in a variety of ways.
Pennsylvania, home to many factories throughout the state, was the leading producer of crucial resources needed to win the war, such as coal and steel. Many citizens of Pennsylvania worked in these factories, while others collected any scraps they could find, such as metal and rubber tires, to donate to the cause.
Pennsylvanians also faced food shortages resulting from food being sent across the ocean to the troops. Shortages led Pennsylvania citizens to ration and plant their own gardens for fruits and vegetables, named Victory Gardens. People of all ages took part in the homefront effort, ranging from children to older Pennsylvanians. Other contributions included Red Cross drives, buying and selling war bond loans, and bandage making. > Source
The homefront efforts described above supported the soldiers who fought abroad,
incl. from Blair County like the men and women honored below:
And many made the supreme sacrifice while fighting for the United States !
Honored In Death
Army Presents Silver Star to Hero's Father
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Sciarrillo of 1016 Fourth Ave last evening received the Silver Star
awarded posthumously to their son, S/Sgt Frank A. Sciarrillo, aged 27,
who was killed in action in France on June 8, 1944 the third day of the invasion.
The Silver Star, awarded for gallantry in action, in the name of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
was presented to Mr. Sciarrillo in the living room of the Sciarrillo home last evening,
with the late soldier's mother looking on.
The presentation was made by Col. Lucius McK. Crumrine,
commander of the Pittsburgh, PA office of the Army 3rd service command.
Col. Crumrine was accompanied by Capt. C. R. Norman.
Mr. and Mrs. Sciarrillo had been notified by Maj. Joseph Arthur of the Pittsburgh army office
that the Silver Star awarded to their son would be presented in person.
The officers drove to Altoona yesterday afternoon arriving at 6:30 o'clock.
Last September the parents received the Purple Heart and accompanying citation
which had been awarded to their soldier son, also posthumously.
Sgt. Sciarrillo was with the infantry contingents spearheading the Invasion of France.
He had been overseas for almost two years and participated in the North African, Tunisian
and Sicilian campaigns before being transferred to England to prepare for D-Day.
Born in Altoona on Oct. 13, 1917, Frank Sciarrillo was inducted into the army in February, 1942,
and trained at Camp Wheeler, Ga., and Camp Blanding. Fla., before going overseas.
The last letter his parents received was written on May 29 of this year.
They were notified on July 5 that their son had been killed in action in France.
Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., November 18, 1944
> Source
