Serving on the front lines at Anzio beach, Babe Ciarlo never revealed his experiences in his letters home.

Waterbury's Babe Ciarlo, and his sister, Olga, on the day that he left for the Army.

Source: The Ciarlo Family

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 . . .

Babe Ciarlo writes home before going overseas, telling his family "the war will be over soon."

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

Babe Ciarlo writes home from basic training.

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

Page 3 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

Completely exposed to enemy fire, a Marine dashes across a field on Okinawa. May 1945.

Source: National Archives (127-N-120562)

A woman listens to the radio in her boardinghouse room. January 1943. For those back home, the radio proved the best source for news on the war.

Source: Library of Congress (LC-USW3- 038331-E)

Last major battle of World War II in the Pacific and the largest and most complicated amphibious operation in the theater. Okinawa, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands and only 350 miles from the Japanese home island of Kyushu, had long been regarded as the last stepping-stone before a direct . . .

Olga Ciarlo was born in 1921 in Waterbury, and lived with her family at 1032 North Main Street. Her parents had immigrated to America from Italy, and her father, Tomaso, ran a successful grocery store and butcher’s shop. But in 1937, Tomaso passed away, leaving his widow, Martina, to care . . .