Interview with Joseph A. Cecconi, April 4, 1986

Interview Summary

Joseph A. ("Tony") Cecconi volunteered for the Navy and served at both Normandy and Iwo Jima. He provided anti-aircraft support during the landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy, and he recalls larger ships firing over his craft, soldiers drowning before reaching the shore, and planes swarming overhead. His landing craft flak was washed ashore during a hurricane, and he discusses the experience, as well as his encounters with the walking wounded and with captured Germans and their female collaborators. At Iwo Jima, Cecconi served on a troop carrier with Task Force 58, bringing troops ashore and taking the injured back out to sea. He describes the landing and expresses sympathy for the injured Japanese. Cecconi also discusses shore leave in Scotland and the United States, gambling and beer-making aboard ships, and V-J Day celebrations in the San Francisco area.

Interview Keyword

military service experience Tony Cecconi War Veterans World War II World War II veterans

Interview LC Subject

Cecconi, Joseph A., (Joseph Anthony) Cecconi, Joseph A., (Joseph Anthony)--Interviews Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 1945. V-J Day, 1945 World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--France--Normandy World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945.

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.