US AIRBORNE

Vincenzo "Jimmy" V. Fiore was born in New York City on March 12, 1925. He died on June 10, 1944 during the combats in Normandy.

He was Private in the Company of the HQ of the 1st Batalion of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

He was the son of Italian immigrants. He had 5 older sisters and 2 brothers. His father made success in business then died of a pneumonia at 43 years old. The abandoned family went from welth to poverty. "Jimmy" grew up in a very tough environment. His mother realised the surroundings were too dangerous that is why she decided to move out to Bronx.

At the beginning of the years 1942, "Jimmy" decided to get enlisted in the Army Air Corp at Fort Dix, in New Jersey. At 17 years old, he was a gunner in an anti-aircraft battery. Then, he joined the paratroopers at Fort Bragg. He was then built in the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was trained in Nottingham, England several months before being dropped over France. Private Vicenzo V. Fiore jumped on June 6 from the C-47 N° 42-92838/Squadron 303rd TCS. He was killed during the combats on the west of Merderet near Ste Mère Eglise, on June 10, 1944.

Private Vicenzo V. Fiore was decorated with the Purple Heart, with the French Military Cross, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead, of World War II Victory Medal, the WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button. He also got his patent of Parachute, a Combat Infantryman Badge and Presidential Distinguished Unit Emblem.

Private Vicenzo V. Fiore was buried in the American cemetery of Ste Mère Eglise, France. Before being brought home at St Raymond cemetery, Bronx, New York.