WWII veteran gets ready to turn 100

WARREN — Although more than 80 years have passed since Gino D’Ambrosio went to war, there are certain memories that never faded.

The World War II veteran can still hear the sound of bombs that caused widespread destruction, tears up when thinking about his captain who was killed in battle, and will never forget those long days he spent as a prisoner of war.

The Warren resident recently reflected on his military service while getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday: he turns 100 years old Nov. 18. A family party is planned this weekend.

“I feel pretty good for my age,” the soon-to-be centenarian said.

D’Ambrosio’s story begins in 1924 in Detroit where he was born and spent some time living in an orphanage. He was the youngest of five children, and the only sibling born in the U.S. as the other four were born in Italy. The family endured heartbreak as both parents died when the children were young. All five children were adopted by other families, but did not live together during childhood. The kids remained in contact as children and adults.

“The oldest sister made sure the kids were placed with families from Italy,” D’Ambrosio’s daughter Gina D’Ambrosio said. “He didn’t know they were siblings until he was 14.”

D’Ambrosio was adopted by Antonio “Tony” and Philomenia D’Ambrosio. He remembers how loving they were. Dad worked at Ford, mixed cement and made wine in the family’s basement.

D’Ambrosio eventually left the comforts of home when drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943. According to family members, he became a staff sergeant in the 423rd Infantry Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division.

“I was pretty good in the Army,” the military veteran said.

D’Ambrosio shared his war stories with his family over the years. Something Gina always remembers was her dad’s faith.

“You were always praying, ‘Don’t let my mom take it too hard if I get killed,’” she reminded him.

Gina’s husband, Bob Kolinski, put together a book with photos that include insight into D’Ambrosio’s war years, him as quarterback on the Wayne University football team, and other highlights of his life. D’Ambrosio was present during the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944, that occupied the beaches of Normandy, France.

“He was a disruptor that flew in behind enemy lines on gliders,” Kolinski said.

As the war raged on, the brave soldier was captured by the German Army just before Christmas Day 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge in southern Belgium.

“I woke up and there was a German with a gun,” D’Ambrosio said.

Because it was December, the weather played a factor.

“It was so damn cold,” he recalled.

He suffered a wound in his foot, too, when hit by shrapnel and was cared for in a hospital, Kolinski said, before he was taken by train to a prison camp in Prüm, Germany. He spent five months as a POW.

“He was in at least three prison camps that we know of,” Kolinski said.

“The prison camp was the worst,” D’Ambrosio said. “They had no food. I got one shot of water with a bath. There was nothing to do. As the time goes by, it gets tough.”

One saving grace were the guards, who actually “were nice,” the war veteran said.

Something he managed to do was help gather food for other captured soldiers.

“He befriended one of the German guards,” Kolinski said. “He was able to mix in with some POWs from Italy. He would put on an Italian uniform, go to work detail and bring back food for his comrades.”

 

‘His positive attitude is so inspiring to everyone.’
As the war continued, hope emerged. As new prisoners were captured, they would talk with D’Ambrosio and the other POWs who let them know that the U.S. soldiers were moving into Germany and soon the war would end. Toward the end of the war, body lice was an issue.

“Oh, my God. When they freed us, it was terrible,” D’Ambrosio recalled. “They took all our clothes, sprayed us and we put on our Army clothes. I became a new man again.”

When his POW camp was liberated, D’Ambrosio was transported to France. From there, he boarded one of the first ships that returned the GIs home to U.S. soil. Even though the sea can be rough, D’Ambrosio said sailing home was “a smooth ride.” When the troops arrived in the New York City harbor, the first thing they noticed were the bright lights that greeted them.

“All the lights and cars and people waving at us was beautiful to see,” the veteran said. “The lights were so nice and bright.”

It was a stark contrast from their time in Europe, which was always dark at night to keep enemy fire at bay. Instead of coming straight home to Detroit, D’Ambrosio took the long way, first arriving in Chicago, then relocating to Texas before finally returning to Detroit.

“Detroit was so quiet,” D’Ambrosio remembered.

“His parents didn’t know if he was alive,” Kolinski said. “They didn’t have any idea.”

At home, Kolinski said D’Ambrosio’s dad played the song “God Bless America” on the Victrola repeatedly to welcome his son home. D’Ambrosio, who was awarded two Purple Heart medals and two Bronze Star Medals, adjusted to civilian life. He became a teacher, coach and married his wife Patricia on Oct. 5, 1957. As a coach, he is a member of the Catholic High School League Hall of Fame and is also in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

D’Ambrosio also spent many years working for Little Caesars Pizza founder Mike Ilitch. He said working at the Fox Theatre “was the best job of all. I met all the stars.” The D’Ambrosios had three children: Gina, John, and Michael, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Patricia died in 2003.

Gina believes her dad’s great outlook on life contributed to his longevity.

“He’s always said what a great life he has had. He has no complaints,” she said. “His positive attitude is so inspiring to everyone.”