Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Arena, Joseph R. |
Born |
5/3/1925 |
Birthplace |
Stamford, CT |
Places of residence |
Stamford, CT Ridgefield, CT |
Titles & honors |
Purple Heart Bronze Star Combat Infantry Badge European, African, Mediterranean campaign ribbon with five stars and a presidential unit citation Awarded the 50-year Jubilee commemorative medal by the Republic of France for his participation in the battle of Normandy and liberation of France. |
Father |
Peter Arena |
Mother |
Pauline (Biancardi) Arena |
Education |
Graduated Stamford High School Class of 1943 and attended New York University and the University of Connecticut. |
Notes |
Arena landed in Normandy 14 days after D-Day and served as an infrantryman in General George Patton's Third Army, fighting through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and into Czechoslovakia. He was wounded by shrapnel from a German shell when his unit was pinned down near the flooding Seves Riber during the attack on St. Lo. He rejoined his battalion 4 weeks after being flown to a hospital in England. In the winter of 1944, Arena's unit was sent to the Ardennes region of Belgium after the Germans' counteroffensive had begun the Battle of the Bulge. |
Occupation |
Buyer and manager of men's apparel at Bob's Sport's in New Canaan until his retirement in July 1987. Later he worked at Squash's Ridgefield News Store for many years. Veteran of the US Army having served in World War II and received and was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree; American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Ridgefield Senior Center; AARP-Local and National; the Ridgefield Italian American Mutual Aid Society and the Ridgefield Men's Club. |
Relationships |
Pat Arena, brother Frances Rella, sister |
Spouse |
Sylvia Galella Arena |
Children |
Carl P. Arena, son Alan J. Arena, son Suzanne A. Berg, daughter |
