308th Medical Battalion Veterans Grouping
Paperwork group identified to Pfc. Michael J. Smeraglia
The small Unit History booklet of the 83rd Infantry Division nicknamed "Thunderbolt Division" was part of a paperwork group. The booklet was printed for all the members of the 83rd Division. The foreword is written by Major General Robert C. Macon, United States Army Commanding.
This copy once belonged to Pfc. Michael J. Smeraglia (#31048123) who was with C Company, 308th Medical Battalion.
The lot consists of: a 1941 Christmas Dinner Menu from the Station Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky, a folding colored pamphlet to the 83rd, 'The Thunderbolt Across Europe', a map 'XIX Corps In Action - From Siegfried Line to Victory' and four issues of newspapers from the 83rd Infantry Division, including: 83rd Thunderbolt for May 5, 1945, TTF for April 29, 1945, May 27, 1945 and July 1, 1945. The G.O.#191 dated September 5, 1945, lists all recipients of the Combat Medical Badge for the 308th Medical Battalion, totalling 200 names.
Pfc. Michael J. Smeraglia
Private First Class
Michael J. Smeraglia
Private First Class Michael J. Smeraglia
Michael Joseph Smeraglia was born on November 9, 1916, in Manhattan, New York, he was the only son of Giuseppa (Josephine) Baretta (1896–1957) and Michael (Michele) Domenico Smeraglia (1894–1949), Italian immigrants. Michael grew up in New York City and moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1930 when he was 14 years old. He married Anna Maria D’Avino in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1940.
Michael Joseph Smeraglia enlisted in the Army on June 5, 1941, in Hartford, Connecticut. He was assigned to the medical departement and served at the Ft. Knox Station Hospital. At a later date, presumably at their activation, he became a member of the 308th Medical Battalion, 83rd Infantry Division. Michael Smeraglia continued serving with them for the remainder of the war. For his service he was awarded, among other decorations, the Combat Medical Badge.
Michael Joseph Smeraglia died on January 31, 2001, in Waterbury, Connecticut, when he was 84 years old. He was survived by his wife Anna Maria 'D’Avino' Smeraglia (1916–2012).
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