To remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war using the tag #IAWW2Heroes on social media. This entry is a special submission from Anita Bevacqua McBride, NIAF’s Vice Chair of Cultural Affairs, about her first cousins—the sons of her paternal uncle, Vincenzo Bevacqua.

Four members of the Bevacqua family—four brothers—served in the U.S. Military. The astonishing aspect of this story is that three of them, Nick, Joseph and John, were serving at the same time in both Europe and the Pacific during WWII.  Their photo that appeared in their hometown Bridgeport, Connecticut newspaper is below.