Joseph A. Abbondondelo

This week’s Veterans Spotlight shines on Joseph.

Joseph A. Abbondondelo was born in January 1924 in Rosalind, Long Island. His father, Nicholas, worked in building construction, while his mother, Carmella Alvin Dandello, was a homemaker. He had an older sister and two younger brothers, both of whom also served in the military—one in the medical corps during World War II and the other drafted during the Korean War.

Before enlisting, Abbondondelo had just graduated from high school and worked various odd jobs, including at golf courses in New York. He joined the Army Air Forces, motivated by his interest in flying, and narrowly avoided being drafted. He trained as a flight engineer, gaining knowledge in aircraft mechanics and systems, and attended gunnery school in Florida, followed by overseas training at Langley Field, Virginia.

During World War II, Abbondondelo served as a technical sergeant in the Army Air Forces, specifically with the 455th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force. His service took him to Italy and the European Theater from 1942 to 1945, where his unit carried out bombing raids on strategic targets like factories, oil refineries, storage areas, and transportation hubs in Italy, France, Germany, and other countries in the region.

He flew more than 40 missions against German forces, during which he was wounded in the arm and head when his plane was hit and caught fire. After this incident, Abbondondelo was captured and spent nine months in the Stalag 4 prisoner-of-war camp in northern Poland, enduring harsh conditions, including a poor diet, cold temperatures, and inadequate medical care. Despite these hardships, he formed close bonds with fellow prisoners.

After being liberated, he was hospitalized for his injuries until December 1945. He returned to the U.S., first staying at Halloran Hospital near Staten Island before being transferred to Valley Forge General Hospital in Pennsylvania. He spent additional time recovering at England General Hospital in Atlantic City before being discharged.

For his service, Abbondondelo received a Purple Heart. After the war, he married in 1949, had two sons, and worked for a bank for 20 years before retiring in 1988. He later traveled to Europe twice with his son and daughter-in-law.

Abbondondelo passed away in May 2019 at the age of 95 at the VA Community Living Center in Northport and was laid to rest at Calverton National Cemetery in Suffolk County, New York.

Thank you for your service!