Ponte Dirillo and Operation Husky Remembering Heroes 76 Years Later

Ponte Dirillo and Operation Husky REMEMBERING HEROES 76 SIX YEARS LATER

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté

A wreath is laid at the Ponte Dirillo monument

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Josh Coté

Cmdr. Robert Matthias, commanding officer of NCTS Sicily, gives remarks at the Ponte Dirillo ceremony.

U.S. Navy photo by IT2 Jordan Gilles

By Janine Scianna NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

German pill boxes surround the landscape of Ponte Dirillo near Gela, Sicily, with their bullet marks still visible and their concrete walls still standing strong. One can vividly imagine what it may have felt like to have been a paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne when they landed in Sicily 76 years ago.

Blown off their original course by high winds, members of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment found themselves in the heart of enemy territory and were forced to engage in direct combat. From July 10 to 12, 1943, they lost 39 men fighting off over half a dozen German Tiger tanks and an entire battalion of infantry. Ultimately though, they were victorious and caused the enemy to retreat.

The regiment was led into action by Lt. Col. Arthur Gorham. As the assault intensified, Gorham rallied his soldiers to keep pushing. Gorham later fell in battle, but inspired the remnants of his division to fight on. For his valiant efforts, Gorham was posthumously awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, the United States’ second highest award for bravery.

Today there is a memorial plaque at the site of the Ponte Dirillo battle listing the 39 service members who gave their lives that day. The plaque and the site are maintained by Cristoforo Ventura.

The plaque reads, “Extreme were the losses, supreme was the heroism, and from the sacrifice of these men is created the new history of Europe.”

Guest speaker Cmdr. Robert Matthias, commander of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Sicily, remarked on the true purpose of the ceremony.

“Today there is more than just a memorial plaque at Ponte Dirillo, listing those who gave their lives years ago,” said Matthias. “For years, the last roll call has been read and wreaths have been laid. For years, the song Taps has echoed these hills. This day should always be remembered and memorialized by those that serve in the future.”

After Matthias’ remarks, Staff Sgt. Brian Chenault of the U.S. Army Joint Tactical Ground Station, Sigonella, conducted a last roll call of the fallen Soldiers. This tradition pays tribute to fallen Soldiers and Sailors by their comrades and those that serve after them.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps and the laying of the memorial wreaths at the base of the plaque. Gela Deputy Mayor Terenziano Di Stefano and Matthias laid the annual wreath, and Ventura’s family laid a second wreath.

Earlier on in the day, two other wreath-laying ceremonies were conducted to honor all lives lost in the Battle of Gela. One was held at a plaque along the seafront, organized by the Kiwanis Club. Another was held at the Contrada Ponte Olivo pillbox to recognize casualties from German and Italian forces, as well.

Ceremonies at Ponte Dirillo and Gela have been organized every year after since being 2006 in coordination with the Kiwanis Club, and more recently, with the City of Gela.

The invasion of Sicily, also known as Operation Husky, was a critical step in the Allied Forces’ gaining a foothold in occupied Europe. The operation was fought on two fronts— an amphibious assault along the coast and over 12,000 paratroopers deployed behind enemy lines. After 38 days and over 14,000 lives lost, the operation was successful and the island was secured.

On Sept. 3, 1943, an armistice was signed between Italy and the Allies, which brought Italy into the war against Germany. Operation Husky was, according to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, “not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning” and an important step toward liberating Europe from tyranny.

In his remarks, Matthias encouraged attendees to remain steadfast in our countries’ partnership to ensure that the world never again sees the tragedies of World War II.

“Together, we are here to continue our stance for freedom and liberty,” said Matthias. “Keep our partnership strong and let’s remain committed to stability, security, and prosperity. Let’s continue to leverage our collective power for peace.”

NCTS Sicily reports to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, to provide secure and reliable telecommunications in EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM theaters of operation. The command represents a long history of superior command and control to a vital region of the world.