|
      |
     |
Waterbury, CTA gritty industrial city of approximately 100,000, situated at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Mad Rivers in central Connecticut, Waterbury had been the center of the American brass industry since the early 19th century. By the 1920s, more than a third of the brass manufactured in the United States was made in the Naugatuck Valley, and Waterbury came to be known as the "Brass City." Its skilled workers turned out screws, washers and buttons; showerheads and alarm clocks; toy airplanes and lipstick holders; and cocktail shakers. Each factory would be retooled for war production. More than 12,000 men and 500 women from Waterbury served in the armed forces during the war, 282 of those lost their lives.
63 records found for “Waterbury, CT” |
 |
 |
Portrait of Anne DeVico in 1943. She hailed from Waterbury and wrote often to her future husband, Bob Swift, during the war.
Source: Anne Swift
|
 |
 |
Anne DeVico was born June 6, 1925, on Union Street in Waterbury’s North End, one of six children born to Italian immigrants. Her father had come to America from Naples at 16 and worked as a tailor. One of her good friends from the neighborhood was Babe Ciarlo. . .
|
 |
|
Anne DeVico, center, and two friends, in downtown Waterbury. Easter, 1945.
Source: Anne Swift
|
 |
 |
Anne DeVico talks about communicating with soldiers during the war.
|
 |
|
Her mother warned her that "nice girls" don't visit New York City.
|
 |
 |
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
|