Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 13, 2024 Arthur F. DeFranzo: Medal of Honor Recipient (Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series of articles about Arthur F. DeFranzo, a Saugus hero who sacrificed his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers in World War II. He was the first Saugus man killed during the D-Day Invasion on June 10, 1944. He is the town’s lone Medal of Honor recipient. He is one of 11 fallen heroes whose families will be honored at the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Ceremony set for 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at 50 Maple St. in Milford.) By Cary Walsh, nephew of Arthur DeFranzo Submitted by Janice Jarosz S taff/Sgt. Arthur Fredrick DeFranzo was born on March 28, 1919, at home in the Baker Hill neighborhood, to parents Grace and Charles. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. During his younger years, Arthur would wake up at 5 AM each morning to deliver newspapers before school. At night, he once again delivered the evening edition to his customers. During the summer he worked at the Sim Carnation farm for 10 cents an hour, as did many of his family and friends. Arthur graduated from Saugus High School in 1938 but was unable to find work due to the Great Depression. He then decided to join the work crews of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He later found employment at the Converse Rubber Company in Malden, Mass. While there, Congress passed the Selective Service Conscription Act in 1940, and Arthur enlisted for the infantry in November of 1940. His enlistment was nearly complete when World War II was declared one year later on December 7, 1941, and he told his family that he was going to make serving in the military his career. Arthur was one of the first volunteer soldiers in Saugus, and as he was boarding the train in Saugus Center, he was given a town sendoff along with a wristwatch. He trained at Fort Devens and quickly attained the rank of Sergeant within a year and soon after was made Staff Sergeant. He received numerous medals for his expert marksmanship and proficiency with the machine gun and hand grenades. Once the war broke out, Staff/Sgt. DeFranzo was transferred and assigned to overseas service; one year later he and his unit Co. “K” of the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division was sent to England, and several weeks later he was sent to Africa to battle General Erwin Rommel’s troops and the Italian troops under Marshal Badoglio. He participated in the capture of Oran, Tunis, Bizerte and later the invasion of Sicily, Italy and France. Arthur always wrote home telling everyone to “keep smiling.” He never wanted his loved ones to worry about him. It wasn’t until years later that his family and friends learned, through John Nagle, a childhood friend, of his being a P.O.W. for two weeks in May ASKS| FROM PAGE 3 S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping A SAUGUS WAR HERO: Staff/Sgt. Arthur Fredrick DeFranzo (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) of 1943. He was captured by the Germans in the Battle of Kasserine in Algeria and spent two weeks in a POW camp living on carrots and cabbage until, somehow, he escaped from the camp. Officer John Nagle, the childhood friend, spotted a figure advancing toward him and his men. John thought he recognized the uniform and told his men to hold their fire. The adA: Donald Wong is a respected individual in the Saugus community and a respected representative of the Republican Committee. He is one of the hardest working people I know, and his dedication to his district is why he gets votes from both sides of the aisle. I am looking forward to working with him on the committee. Q: Are you surprised that not only in Saugus, but in the other two communities [Lynn and Wakefield] that make up the 9th Essex House District, that the Democrats couldn’t field a candidate to run against state Rep. Wong this year and in the previous two elections? A: I believe it would be hard to find a candidate with more of a work ethic and a connection to the community than Mr. Wong. Q: So, do you think Rep. Wong will have the seat for as long as he wants? vancing figure of a man was the weakened and hungry Arthur, wearing a tattered and blood-stained uniform. What were the odds that he was rescued by his friend from Saugus! John helped clean up his war-torn friend and returned him to Co. “K.” John was the last Saugus friend to see Arthur before he participated in the Normandy Invasion. (Next week: Arthur’s war record.) A: I certainly hope so, although I would like to see him run for higher office in the state. His leadership qualities could certainly be used at a higher level. I just think his talents could bring him to higher office if he wanted. Q: Do you see any political trends in Saugus? A: I believe people are realizing that the state leadership that spends a billion dollars on illegal immigrants and ignores its citizens cannot be sustained by our tax dollars. I do see some political trends in Saugus that lean towards bringing back American core values. Q: What’s the state of the Republican Party in Massachusetts? A: We need more members to voice their concerns over politics as we see it today. I see this state as a one-party ASKS | SEE PAGE 8
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