New Jersey WWII Sailor Returned Home for Military Funeral

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class anthony flynn | 190624-N-PE636-0039 PHILADELPHIA (June 24, 2019) Naval Support Activity Philadelphia Funeral Honors Detail fold a flag over the casket of Navy Fireman 1st Class Angelo M. Gabriele during his funeral at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Gabriele, 21, was killed in action aboard the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-43) during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Gabriele was identified 77 years later through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned home to his family. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Flynn/Released)  

PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES

06.24.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class anthony flynn 

Naval Support Activity Philadelphia

Fireman 1st Class Angelo Michael Gabriele, killed in action during the Dec. 7, 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor, was buried at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, June 24 - receiving full military funeral honors from Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Philadelphia.
“[Gabriele] was a member of the greatest generation that made the greatest sacrifice,” said Rear Adm. John Schommer, deputy commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet. “It is a true honor to bring him here near his home for this final resting place.”
The 21-year-old from Trenton, New Jersey was aboard the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-43) when enemy-torpedoes struck the moored ship resulting in his death along with 105 of his shipmates.
“He joined the Navy to learn a trait, and served his country to support his family,” said Peter DiPietro, Gabriele’s nephew. “We are appreciative of the Navy for never giving up on bringing him home.”
Recent efforts by scientists from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System positively identified a number of remains that were interred as “unknowns” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Once identified, Gabriele was flown to Philadelphia International Airport where Sailors rendered planeside honors then served as the funeral honors detail on the day of his burial.
“This was a special moment in my career,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Joseph Rogan, “You learn so much about the sacrifices our shipmates made all those years ago; being a part of [Gabriele’s] service really made it all come full circle.”
Gabriele is survived by four nephews, two great nieces and a great nephew.
NSA Philadelphia’s mission is to provide an operationally ready, secure shore infrastructure committed to the quality of life to military members, civilian staffs and the community.
For more information on NSA Philadelphia visit, https://www.facebook.com/nsaphil/.

• Date Taken: 06.24.2019
• Date Posted: 06.25.2019 12:12
• Story ID: 329049
• Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US