PFC Vincent James Mandino was born in Newark, New Jersey on 19 Jan 1913. He was the eldest of the 5 children of Giacomo (also known as "Jack") and Concetta (Boni) Mandina. Apparently, Vincent's generation were responsible for the spelling change to the family name. Jack was a native of Gibellina, Italy and had immigrated in 1906 at the age of 23. Concetta was originally from Calatafimi-Segesta, Italy and had immigrated in 1909. The couple were from the same Sicilian province and likely had a lot in common and they married in 1910. Jack worked as a mason and laborer in Newark. Vincent only completed 1 year of high school before going to work to help support his family. At the time of the census in April 1940 the family was living at 235 Eighth Street in Newark which they rented for $40 a month. Jack was working as a tool maker, Concetta as a seamstress, Vincent as a roofer, and Vincent's sisters, Vera and as pressers in a laundry earning a combined 1939 income of $2316. Vincent married Viola LaBella in 1942.
Vincent was drafted in November 1942. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. PFC Mandino trained with the unit for the planned amphibious landing on the Normandy beaches. It was in that assault that PFC Mandino was shot and killed in action on 6 Jun 1944.
PFC Mandino was probably repatriated and re-interred in the vicinity of Newark.
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