My father was born in Sicily and came to New York when he was four. He is still alive and well at ninety-seven. Although he had to leave school in the ninth grade to help support his family, his dream was to send his sons to college.   Like many second generation Americans, I took advantage of the opportunities provided in this country. I received my PHD in Physics from Saint John’s University and was a Professor at the United States Merchant Marine Academy for thirty-five years. After retirement I took an active interest in the conflict between Italy and the United States in World War II.   This June will mark the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Rome by Allied Forces. The history of the hardships endured by the Italian Population in the nine months that transpired between the Italian surrender in September, 1943, and the march to Rome in June is something worth examining by all Italian Americans.   I have written a novel “The Partisans: Sons and Daughters”, inspired by the brave men and women who fought to take their country back from revengeful Fascists and the German Army of Occupation during the time period mentioned above. Over 1.2 million Italian Americans fought in the U.S. Armed Forces in the war, many along side these Partisans. It is not just a story of war, but also a story of the strong family ties that all Italians value above all else.

PhD Saint John's University
Professor - United States Merchant marine Academy