Waterbury's Babe Ciarlo, and his sister, Olga. She would welcome receiving Babe's letters, which never reflected what he saw as he fought in Italy.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Corado "Babe" Ciarlo grew up in Waterbury, and lived with his family at 1032 North Main Street. His parents had immigrated to America from Italy, and his father, Tomaso, ran a successful grocery store and butcher’s shop. But in 1937, Tomaso passed away, leaving his widow, Martina, to care for . . .

On October 20, 1943, Babe Ciarlo writes home.

Corado "Babe" Ciarlo was with the Fifth Allied Army, somewhere in Italy. His letters home were the most important thing his mother's life.

Samples of letters home written by Babe Ciarlo

Source: The Ciarlo Family

A Western Union telegram addressed to the Ciarlo family with news of Babe Ciarlo's death. It's dated June 26, 1944.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Former servicemen turn out at the Waterbury train station for the return of Babe Ciarlo's coffin. Ciarlo wrote home often before being killed in Italy.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

In a Waterbury cemetery, Soldiers and Sailors remove the American flag from Babe Ciarlo's coffin. Ciarlo wrote home often before falling in Italy.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Page two of a letter from Babe Ciarlo to his family, May 19, 1944.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Page one of a letter from Babe Ciarlo to his family, May 19, 1944.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Waterbury's Babe Ciarlo, and his mother, who spoke very little English. He wrote her often during the war.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

Soldiers celebrate Christmas in Pietramelara, Italy. December 16, 1943

Source: National Archives (111-SC-184611)

Dwain Luce was born April 25 1916, and grew up in Mobile. His father was in the lumber business. Luce graduated from high school in l934 and from Auburn in l938, with a reserve commission. After graduation he went to work at his family's cannery business in Mississippi. On December . . .

Mobile's Dwain Luce, left, with friends Hunter Marstan, Jack Manning and Stuart Waring. Luce, a glider pilot, would see action in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.

Source: Dwain Luce

Mobile's Dwain Luce poses for a snapshot. Luce, a glider pilot, would see action in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.

Source: Dwain Luce

Ernest Taylor Pyle, best known as "Ernie," covered the Second World War for the Scripps Howard newspaper chain. Pyle was born to farmers in Dana, Indiana on August 3, 1900. He joined the US Navy in 1918 hoping to see action in World War One, but the . . .

Ernie Pyle at Anzio, Italy. March 18, 1944

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191703)

Ernie Pyle at his typewriter, Anzio, Italy, March 18, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191705)

A favorite of the GIs, journalist Ernie Pyle offers a cigarette to an infantryman. He later would be killed by a sniper's bullet.

Source: National Archives (127-N-116840)

The townspeople of Livorno, Italy cheer an American troop truck. July 19, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-340918)