Frank Aiello (1920-2020) was a US Army Technician Fifth Grade during World War II. Aiello served in the US 1st Infantry Division in North Africa, France, Belgium, and Germany.
Biography[]
Frank Aiello was born in Queens, New York City, New York in 1920 to a family of Italian descent, and his family was devoutly Catholic; his mother once told him to never shake hands with a Jew, Aiello also holding a dislike for African-Americans. During World War II, Aiello was drafted into the US 1st Infantry Division, and he fought at the Battle of Kasserine Pass in 1943, losing his best friends because of William Pierson's decision to disobey orders. Aiello then served as a Technician Fifth Grade during the D-Day invasion of France on 6 June 1944, and he fought at the Battle of the Bulge and continued fighting as the division advanced towards the Rhine. During this time, Aiello lost his hatred of African-Americans, having witnessed the bravery of black soldiers at The Bulge and Remagen. After the war, he returned home to Queens, married his girlfriend and sired three sons. In his later years, Aiello became a butcher, owning his own meat shop. He reunited with his squad every year until his death in 2020 from a stroke.
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