The youngest son of Italian immigrants Rocco and Caterina Zuccarella, Rocky was born in New York City on May 1, 1916. He was inducted on December 9, 1943, at New York Times Square Army office. After training at Fort Riley and Camp Polk, he was deployed to Europe in late 1944, arriving first in Tidworth, England, where his group continued to train until leaving for LeHarve in January, 1945. From LeHarve, Rocky's group marched through Belgium, Holland, and into Germany.

In March 1945, Rocky was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany on 5 March, 1945. The citation reads:

"Under intense enemy fire, Sergeant Zuccarella (then Private) covered members of his platoon with machine gun fire while they took cover. He then advanced 800 yards under machine gun, artillery, mortar and small arms fire to lead twelve men to safety. Sergeant Zuccarella's actions reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

In a letter Rocky wrote to his sister shortly after receiving the award, he stated, "I got a promotion from a buck private to staff. They also awarded me the Silver Star and I sent it home to Gloria . . . I guess you will be amazed at all this, but so was I. I shook hands with the General of my division when he handed out the awards and it was one of the biggest thrills of my life."

– Gloria Zuccarella Borell Layne –

© 2019 • by Gloria Zuccarella Layne and the sons and daughters of AWON • All rights reserved.