Vincenzo Giovanni "the Executioner" Mangano (28 March 1888 – 19 April 1951) was the boss of the Gambino crime family from 1931 to 1951, succeeding Frank Scalice and preceding Albert Anastasia.
Biography[]
Vincenzo Giovanni Mangano was born on 28 March 1888 in Palermo, Sicily, the brother of Philip Mangano. Mangano came to the US city of New York City and joined the American Mafia, taking over Alfred Mineo's family in 1931 after the end of the Castellammarese War. While considered to be a "Mustache Pete" for his old-fashioned ways, he was more forward-looking than Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, leading to Lucky Luciano sparing him. Mangano used the International Longshoremen's Association's mob ties to control the Brooklyn waterfront, and he became a powerful boss. However, he was forced to deal with a rebellious underboss, Albert Anastasia, who often argued with the old Mangano due to his old-fashioned ways. In 1951, it was rumored that Mangano was seeking to have Anastasia murdered, and Anastasia struck back. He had the Mangano brothers kidnapped and murdered, and Vincent Mangano's body was never found; Anastasia, backed by Frank Costello, took over the Gambino family.
| Don of the Gambino crime family | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Frank Scalice |
1931 - 1951 | Succeeded by: Albert Anastasia |