The Snapshot Project

Campanella Family

ITALY
Sgt. Matthew J. Campanella
Son of an Italian couple who migrated to the US from Sicily, Italy, approximately 95 years ago. One of seven children, Matthew Campanella was born on November 17, 1922. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in April 1941 and was in the service during all of World War II, serving overseas in China-Burma-India flying "the Hump" as a radio operator. During this service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal along with other citations. Matthew went on to graduate from The University of Notre Dame, Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, earning his BS, MA and PhD. respectively. He successfully worked in industry as an engineer during the next 40 years in various capacities. All five of his children are also college graduates. Matthew has recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.

ITALY
Mother, father and three siblings taken circa 1915
Submitted by Sgt. Matthew J. Campanella.