Sergeant Orlando Vincenti died as the B-17 Flying Fortress he served on as radioman plummeted to earth in flaming pieces on October 10, 1943.
The airman, an Italian immigrant who settled in Carbondale, Pennsylvania and worked as a coal miner before World War II, was one of two members of the crew killed in the crash.
The crew he served with was featured in the 2024 miniseries, “Masters of the Air.”
We’ve written about his service and his fatal final mission previously.
In 1949, Vincenti’s remains came home to the Coal Region. The Scranton Times reported on his military funeral in his adopted hometown on June 10, 1949.
Body of Sgt. Vincenti Is Laid to Final Rest
CARBONDALE—The funeral of Sgt. Orlando E. Vincenti, who was killed on a bombing mission over Germany in 1943, took place this morning from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Spigarelli, 171 Gordon Ave.
A solemn requiem mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church by Rev. Patrick S. Cortese, assistant pastor. His brother, Rev. Frank Cortese, was deacon, and Rev. John C. Gilloogly, St. Rose Church, was subdeacon.
Burial, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill. Casket bearers were Angelo Natalini, Sgt. Joseph Sullivan, Michael Cuce, Joseph Nardi, Frank Setta and Joseph Peduto.
Military rites were in charge of Gerald Buckley Post 1507, VFW. Members who took part were: Color bearers, Edward Farrell and Walter Brieden; color guards, Edward Petryk and John Kane; sergeant of color guards, Angelo Pesoli; drummers, Roland Crane and Thomas Finnegan; buglers, James Juliano and Sam Poletto; firing squad, Simon Levine, Peter Calabro, Carmine Falvo, Jack Daniels, Joseph Daniels, Maurice Burch, Robert Bloomer, Joseph Cardamon and James Cosgrove.
Robert Curtis was in charge of the firing squad.
Learn more about Vincenti’s military service in the 8th Air Force during World War II
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Jake – a great story to remind us of the sacrifices made by our Schuylkill County soldiers. How about about SSgt Clair Carl? He finished his 25 mission tour, visited Tower City on furlough and then voluntarily went back into combat. He was KIA shortly afterward. He is buried in Tower City’s Greenwood Cemetery. He was my cousin and I can tell his story.