Albert C. Santella
Albert C. Santella, age 88, of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, died on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in his home. He was born November 9, 1920, in Fredericktown, Pa., the son of Carlo Santella and Carmella Moschetta Santella.
Mr. Santella was a 1939 graduate of East Bethlehem High School.
After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served with the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bomb Group, 359th Squadron, Triangle C, Hell’s Angels as a Tail Gunner.
Mr. Santella completed 25 missions and had the distinction of flying in the Knock Out Dropper, which was the first B-17 Bomber to complete 50 combat missions over enemy territory. In his brief, yet distinguished military career, he had the opportunity to fly with General Robert F. Travis and Colonel Richard Stevens, and on “Black Thursday”, a turning point in the war, flew with a little-known war correspondent at the time by the name of Walter Cronkite.
For his exemplary service to his country during Air Offensive Europe, Mr. Santella was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
He had a knowledge so complete of the planes he flew in that he spoke many times in locations across the country of his experiences. He was very proud of not only the “Mighty Eighth”, but also the brave men that served under it.
After his Honorable Discharge from the Army, he worked at Paletta Ford in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, owned Tri-County Bumpers and also bartended at the Nemacolin Country Club for 15 years.
Mr. Santella was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed bowling, both in his own league and traveling leagues.
He also enjoyed traveling, both stateside with his late wife, Viola Santella, to attend Air Force reunions, and abroad to Germany, Italy, and Mexico.
He was a member of Saint Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Fredericktown, Pa.
He was also a member of The Sons of Italy, Washington, Pa., Lions Club of Clarksville, Pa., The Knights of Columbus in Carmichaels, Pa., Hanson Cole American Legion Post 391 in Fredericktown, Pa., and the 8th Air Force Historical Society, of which he was a Life Time Member.
Surviving are one son, Bob Santella (Judi) of Clarksville, Pa.; daughter, Brenda Nichols (Jim) of Fredericktown, Pa.; two granddaughters: Nicole Santella of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Jessica Beck of Washington, D.C.; one grandson, Aaron Beck of Pittsburgh; one sister, Ann Vulcan (Henry) of Brownsville, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, is one sister Eleanor J. Greenlee.
Family will receive Friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 42 Bank Street at Crawford Road, Fredericktown, Pa., where Prayers will be said Thursday, July 2, 2009, at 9:30 a.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in Saint Oliver Plunkett Roman Catholic Church, Fredericktown, Pa., with the Rev. Paul Gruenbach as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in the Fredericktown Cemetery.
The Hanson Cole American Legion Post 391 will conduct Services in the Funeral Home on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. and will also accord Full Military Honors at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contribution in Mr. Santella’s name to the Albert Gallatin Hospice, 100 Stoop Drive, Monongahela, PA 15063.
On line Guest Book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.-GreenleeFuneralHome.com