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Angelo Scioli

Angelo Scioli (born in 1872) was an Italian-American fisherman who lived in Santa Monica in the early 20th Century.

Biography[]

Angelo Scioli was born in Syracuse in Italy in 1872. In 1882 with ten years he emmigrated to America living in Santa Monica and working as a fisherman. On Saturday, December 13, 1941, Scioli was a member of Ground Observer Corps he was at the Santa Monica Pier with Claude Crumn, another fisherman and Herbie Kazlminsky. Scioli instelled Claude and Herb in the Ferris wheel at the Ocean Front Amusement Park where they had volunteered to spot and report enemy aircraft.

Scioli was later alerted by his neighbours Ward Douglas and Joan Douglas about Ward being spotted a surfaced submarine offshore. Scioli confirmed it, even saying that "There is a kraut on board too". Ward then began firing one anti-aircraft gun that the US army gave him at the submarine, almost consequently destroying his house.

On Sunday morning, December 14, 1941, General Stilwell and soldiers arrive at the remains of the Douglas home. Ward delivered an inspirational speech to everyone present, vowing that their Christmas will not be ruined by the enemy; to symbolize his point, he nailed a Christmas wreath to his front door, jarring the unstable house so that it collapsed down the hillside.

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