#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Alfredo Bernacchi

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran and former POW Alfredo Bernacchi, who served during World War II from 1943 to 1945.

Alfredo Bernacchi was born in 1918 in San Francisco, Calif., but grew up in Chicago, Ill. Bernacchi’s parents emigrated from Italy to the United States. At 25, Bernacchi was drafted into the Army as an infantryman, and then was assigned to the 179^th Infantry of the 45^th Division.

Bernacchi fought in Anzio, Italy, and was captured by German forces on Memorial Day. He was then forced to march 20 miles a day all the way past Rome. After his tour of combat duty, he was assigned for administrative work in the military hospital in Naples, Italy, because he could speak Italian.

Bernacchi was discharged after three years, then used the GI Bill to go to a university and earn a bachelor’s degree in business sdministration.

Alfedo Bernacchi died in 2011.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Contributors:

Editor: Vincent Tran

Graphic Design: Nicki Lumbre