Domenic Gentile US Marines |
Domenic enlisted in the Marine Corps. in July of 1940. After boot camp, he started on a journey, which ultimately ended up in Pearl Harbor. He spent time at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From Cuba he went to California and on from there to Pearl Harbor. He arrived at Pearl Harbor on Monday, December 1, 1941. Of course on the 7th, he was caught with a towel around his waist as he was going to shower and go to Mass, but that never happened. He first thought the Army Air Force was having maneuvers, until he saw the "Meatballs" rising sun. He quickly got dressed (or half-dressed as he says)! After unpacking rifles, etc., the Japanese strafed them. He was put on a detail to pick up the wounded and bring them to the hospital. After a while there was no room at the hospital, so he was ordered to just pile them up. Something that he has never forgotten, especially the smell of the burnt flesh. About a week after that, he was shipped to Wake Island. Eight hours before they arrived at Wake Island, the island fell to the Japanese, so they were routed to Midway Island, where Domenic stayed until June, 1943. He had a 30-day leave, so he went home and got engaged to his high school sweetheart, Lucy. After his leave, he was sent to several small islands in the Pacific. He ended up on Tinnian Island. After the war was declared, he was sent back to Camp Lejune. On July 23, 1946, Domenic was separated from the Corps and he married Lucy on August 3, 1946. He joined the reserves and was to serve 18 years. He was called back to serve in the Korean War, but was only needed for one year. Domenic and Lucy celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary on August 3, 2001. They have one daughter and three grandchildren. |
Information provided by Domenic & Lucy Gentile. |
Domenic & Lucy Gentile August 3, 1946 |
Domenic & Lucy Gentile August 3, 1996 |
Domenic Gentile (right) and Congressman Rob Andrews (Center) drop a memorial wreath from the USS New Jersey during the 11th Annual Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration in Camden, New Jersey on December 5, 2001. |
