Giuseppe Biancaniello

GEDCOM Note

Was sent to France to fight during World War I. Was killed on November 7, 1918, 4 days before the end of the war. Originally buried at Argonne American Cemetery, transferred to Holy Cross in Yeadon, PA at some point before 1934. In New York, lived at 125 Classon Avenue, which is in South Williamsburg (now under BQE). This address is on his draft card and Army record.

Entry below is from WWI Centennial Page on Italian Immigrants fighting in WWI

“Giuseppe Biancaniello (alias Giuseppe Benchionelle) was born in the village of Nusco in or about 1888 to Generoso and Rosa Rullo. He emigrated to America in 1913 and settled in Brooklyn, NY. He was inducted in the Army with serial number 378096 and he was assigned to the 61st Infantry, Company A as part of the 5th Division. He was Killed in Action on November 07, 1918 and his death was notified to his sister Maria in West Philadelphia, PA; he is buried in Yeadon, PA in the Holy Cross Cemetery and his name appears in the Italian Honor Roll (Albo d' Oro), published in the 1930's. In SOGW (and Philadelphia in the Great War) he is registered as from Pennsylvania.”

He appears in the Soliders of the Great War as Giuseppe Beanchionelle (different from alias above), and as having died in an accident, not KIA. However, causality lists in National Archives list him as KIA. Based on the misspelling in SOGW, and the correct spelling on War Dept Record and in National Archives, would conclude he was KIA on 7 Nov 1918.

Service record in New York files state that he was drafted and joined on 20 May 1918. Was in the Supply Company, 49th Infantry from 23 May 1918 to 29 Sep 1918. Then transferred to the 61st. His draft card states he was married with children - but the War department record confirms that sister Maria Siano was notified of death - not wife. Perhaps he put that down to avoid draft? Draft card also notes he served 2 years in the Italian Army. Perhaps wife and children were still in Italy?

Italian Honor Roll (Albo d’Oro) Translation: US Army Soldier, born May 22, 1888 in Nusco, Avellino Military District, who died on November 7, 1918 in France from wounds in combat.

A lot of information on the 5th Division is available from text: The official history of the Fifth division, U. S. A., during the period of its organization and of its operations in the European world war, 1917-1919. The Red diamond (Meuse) division, which is available in numerous web archives. Some pages attached here.