A Story of True Service
With the platform a successful business offers, it’s only right to give back to your community, especially those who ensured your success would be possible. Recently we had the opportunity to work with an incredible man from an incredible time in history. His name is Joseph Allegretti, a decorated combat veteran of WWII.
A mutual friend referred Joe to me for a service upgrade. As always, I am happy to take a referral, so I went to see Joe to give him an estimate. Upon arriving at the front door, I saw a small plaque on the front window saying 104th Infantry Division European Theatre World War II Veteran. Joe comes out and I mention that our friend told me he was a vet of the second world war which he confirmed. I told him how much his service meant to my family and me. He proceeded to show me some of his medals and other memorabilia. It’s not often today to meet a decorated WWII vet, 96 years old and sharp as a nail!
We briefly went over the work he wanted at which point I told him we will be doing this work for free and asked him to please accept my offer. We went back and forth for a short time as he did not want us to work for free, however I wouldn’t accept a dollar. I personally believe that men of that caliber should never pay another bill for the rest of their lives. Luckily, I convinced Joe to let us do the work. We scheduled for 7/10/2021, which he then told me that date would have been his 72nd wedding anniversary to his wife Janet who passed away earlier this year.
We went out that morning to meet Joe at his house and did our normal routine service upgrade. Joe kept us company telling us stories about his time in the war which were some incredible experiences. We talked about not only war but life too. You can’t pass up the chance to take some life lessons from a man like that. Joe was born, raised, worked, and married in Albany. He graduated from CBA in June 1943 and was drafted into the Army in August 1943.
He attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia where, he told me, the Italian prisoners of war were the barbers, gardeners and tailors at the base. Both being Italian Americans, we laughed at that. He even told me that the Italians were allowed to leave the base and have their own limited, supervised time walking the streets of nearby Columbus, Georgia. Then they would return to the base at a specified time. Joe attended St. Bonaventure College January to April 1944 which was an Army specialized training program. That year he was sent to 104th Infantry Division at Camp Carson in Colorado.
Joe received his 1st Purple Heart in December of 1944 in Inden, Germany where during combat was injured by a German grenade. In Feb 1945, Joe nearly drowned in the Roer River after taking on enemy fire while attempting to cross the river in a rowboat. Luckily, he was resuscitated. Unfortunately, some of the others on the boat weren't that lucky. He received a 2nd Purple Heart in March of 1945 in Remagen, Germany where during another fire fight he was in a field behind a barn that was hit by German tanks sending him flying through the air, resulting in a brain concussion. This ended his combat tour.
Along with two Purple Hearts Joe received the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service during the Rhineland Campaign. He also received the Combat Infantry Medal which he is most proud of for his close combat with the Germans. Joe went overseas September
1944 and returned home a platoon sergeant in January 1946. He went on to work for New York State and the NYS Thruway Authority for over 30 years after graduating from Siena College. He retired as the Director of Accounting. He married his bride Janet Kajano in July 1949, who unfortunately passed away January 16th 2021. He has 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
It was an honor to share the room with that man. I can’t thank him enough and all veterans at that who selflessly give up their youth to fight for our freedoms, and who sometimes give up their limbs or even their lives. Thank you to the city of Albany for donating the permit for the work after we told them what we were doing for Mr. Allegretti. I also want to thank Jim Knapp and Asko Electric who provided the supplies for the work. I also want to thank Tony Lanza who has worked at Caruso Electrical since the very first day the doors opened for donating his time to do this job with me. Lastly, I want to thank Mr. Allegretti and all veterans of the wars past and present for their sacrifices that allow us to be in business.
