First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired
Veteran of World War II,
Korea and Vietnam
Joseph Francis Carfora, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, died on April 3, 2009, at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Olga, who passed away in 2005, shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
He is survived by two sons, Michael Francis of Woodbine, NJ, and Stephen Jude of Arlington, VA; two sisters, Sophie Ruotolo and Ann Berger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joseph, the son of Italian immigrant parents, Michael Francis Carfora and Concetta (Magnano) Carfora, was born on April 1, 1925, in the family home on East 146th Street in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in that neighborhood, attending St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church and school.
In June 1943, at the age of 18, Joseph was drafted and he underwent basic training at Camp Toccoa, GA; Camp Haan, CA, and Fort Carson, CO. During World War II, he served in the European theater and spent months as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans.
After the war, Joseph met his wife, Olga Plaskonos, then a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx. Married in 1955 in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, they settled in Willingboro with their two children in 1958.
Joseph's military career spanned more than 27 years and three wars. He served in the 100th Infantry Division, TRUST (the TRieste United States Troops), the 2nd Infantry Division, and the First (Air Mobile) Cavalry Division. Joseph earned numerous awards and decorations, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Republic of Korea Service Medal, five Bronze Star medals including one with the Valor device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and two awards of the Air Medal. At the age of 44, he received the Silver Star Medal for "exceptionally valorous action" during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Joseph was also one of a select group of soldiers who received three awards of the Combat Infantry Badge for seeing combat in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. When not overseas he was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey where he helped run the rifle ranges used during basic training.
After his Army retirement, Joseph began a second career as a security guard for CIGNA Insurance. During those and later years, his focus and life's work was to care for Olga who had been struck with multiple sclerosis. He counted her being able to stay at home with him as one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2006, a year after her death, Joseph moved to Arlington, VA, to be closer to his son, Stephen. He was blessed to have had three very good years there and to have nearby his two nieces, Joyce and Marie, who with their families did so very much to help "Uncle Joe" be comfortable in his new home.
Joseph had a great interest in military history, amassing an extensive library on the subject, and he enjoyed classic movies from the 1930's and 1940's. And he most definitely appreciated a good diner where he could have breakfast and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Joseph was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the First Cavalry Division Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Willingboro for nearly fifty years.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington on April 8, 2009. There will be an additional service at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 12:45 pm, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph's wife, Olga, will also be interred at that time. There will be a reception afterwards at the Women In Military Service for America Memorial located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery
Veteran of World War II,
Korea and Vietnam
Joseph Francis Carfora, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, died on April 3, 2009, at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Olga, who passed away in 2005, shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
He is survived by two sons, Michael Francis of Woodbine, NJ, and Stephen Jude of Arlington, VA; two sisters, Sophie Ruotolo and Ann Berger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joseph, the son of Italian immigrant parents, Michael Francis Carfora and Concetta (Magnano) Carfora, was born on April 1, 1925, in the family home on East 146th Street in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in that neighborhood, attending St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church and school.
In June 1943, at the age of 18, Joseph was drafted and he underwent basic training at Camp Toccoa, GA; Camp Haan, CA, and Fort Carson, CO. During World War II, he served in the European theater and spent months as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans.
After the war, Joseph met his wife, Olga Plaskonos, then a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx. Married in 1955 in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, they settled in Willingboro with their two children in 1958.
Joseph's military career spanned more than 27 years and three wars. He served in the 100th Infantry Division, TRUST (the TRieste United States Troops), the 2nd Infantry Division, and the First (Air Mobile) Cavalry Division. Joseph earned numerous awards and decorations, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Republic of Korea Service Medal, five Bronze Star medals including one with the Valor device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and two awards of the Air Medal. At the age of 44, he received the Silver Star Medal for "exceptionally valorous action" during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Joseph was also one of a select group of soldiers who received three awards of the Combat Infantry Badge for seeing combat in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. When not overseas he was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey where he helped run the rifle ranges used during basic training.
After his Army retirement, Joseph began a second career as a security guard for CIGNA Insurance. During those and later years, his focus and life's work was to care for Olga who had been struck with multiple sclerosis. He counted her being able to stay at home with him as one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2006, a year after her death, Joseph moved to Arlington, VA, to be closer to his son, Stephen. He was blessed to have had three very good years there and to have nearby his two nieces, Joyce and Marie, who with their families did so very much to help "Uncle Joe" be comfortable in his new home.
Joseph had a great interest in military history, amassing an extensive library on the subject, and he enjoyed classic movies from the 1930's and 1940's. And he most definitely appreciated a good diner where he could have breakfast and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Joseph was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the First Cavalry Division Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Willingboro for nearly fifty years.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington on April 8, 2009. There will be an additional service at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 12:45 pm, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph's wife, Olga, will also be interred at that time. There will be a reception afterwards at the Women In Military Service for America Memorial located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery
First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired
Veteran of World War II,
Korea and Vietnam
Joseph Francis Carfora, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, died on April 3, 2009, at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Olga, who passed away in 2005, shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
He is survived by two sons, Michael Francis of Woodbine, NJ, and Stephen Jude of Arlington, VA; two sisters, Sophie Ruotolo and Ann Berger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joseph, the son of Italian immigrant parents, Michael Francis Carfora and Concetta (Magnano) Carfora, was born on April 1, 1925, in the family home on East 146th Street in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in that neighborhood, attending St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church and school.
In June 1943, at the age of 18, Joseph was drafted and he underwent basic training at Camp Toccoa, GA; Camp Haan, CA, and Fort Carson, CO. During World War II, he served in the European theater and spent months as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans.
After the war, Joseph met his wife, Olga Plaskonos, then a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx. Married in 1955 in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, they settled in Willingboro with their two children in 1958.
Joseph's military career spanned more than 27 years and three wars. He served in the 100th Infantry Division, TRUST (the TRieste United States Troops), the 2nd Infantry Division, and the First (Air Mobile) Cavalry Division. Joseph earned numerous awards and decorations, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Republic of Korea Service Medal, five Bronze Star medals including one with the Valor device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and two awards of the Air Medal. At the age of 44, he received the Silver Star Medal for "exceptionally valorous action" during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Joseph was also one of a select group of soldiers who received three awards of the Combat Infantry Badge for seeing combat in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. When not overseas he was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey where he helped run the rifle ranges used during basic training.
After his Army retirement, Joseph began a second career as a security guard for CIGNA Insurance. During those and later years, his focus and life's work was to care for Olga who had been struck with multiple sclerosis. He counted her being able to stay at home with him as one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2006, a year after her death, Joseph moved to Arlington, VA, to be closer to his son, Stephen. He was blessed to have had three very good years there and to have nearby his two nieces, Joyce and Marie, who with their families did so very much to help "Uncle Joe" be comfortable in his new home.
Joseph had a great interest in military history, amassing an extensive library on the subject, and he enjoyed classic movies from the 1930's and 1940's. And he most definitely appreciated a good diner where he could have breakfast and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Joseph was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the First Cavalry Division Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Willingboro for nearly fifty years.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington on April 8, 2009. There will be an additional service at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 12:45 pm, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph's wife, Olga, will also be interred at that time. There will be a reception afterwards at the Women In Military Service for America Memorial located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery
Veteran of World War II,
Korea and Vietnam
Joseph Francis Carfora, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, died on April 3, 2009, at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Olga, who passed away in 2005, shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
He is survived by two sons, Michael Francis of Woodbine, NJ, and Stephen Jude of Arlington, VA; two sisters, Sophie Ruotolo and Ann Berger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joseph, the son of Italian immigrant parents, Michael Francis Carfora and Concetta (Magnano) Carfora, was born on April 1, 1925, in the family home on East 146th Street in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in that neighborhood, attending St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church and school.
In June 1943, at the age of 18, Joseph was drafted and he underwent basic training at Camp Toccoa, GA; Camp Haan, CA, and Fort Carson, CO. During World War II, he served in the European theater and spent months as a prisoner-of-war of the Germans.
After the war, Joseph met his wife, Olga Plaskonos, then a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Bronx. Married in 1955 in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, they settled in Willingboro with their two children in 1958.
Joseph's military career spanned more than 27 years and three wars. He served in the 100th Infantry Division, TRUST (the TRieste United States Troops), the 2nd Infantry Division, and the First (Air Mobile) Cavalry Division. Joseph earned numerous awards and decorations, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Republic of Korea Service Medal, five Bronze Star medals including one with the Valor device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and two awards of the Air Medal. At the age of 44, he received the Silver Star Medal for "exceptionally valorous action" during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Joseph was also one of a select group of soldiers who received three awards of the Combat Infantry Badge for seeing combat in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. When not overseas he was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey where he helped run the rifle ranges used during basic training.
After his Army retirement, Joseph began a second career as a security guard for CIGNA Insurance. During those and later years, his focus and life's work was to care for Olga who had been struck with multiple sclerosis. He counted her being able to stay at home with him as one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2006, a year after her death, Joseph moved to Arlington, VA, to be closer to his son, Stephen. He was blessed to have had three very good years there and to have nearby his two nieces, Joyce and Marie, who with their families did so very much to help "Uncle Joe" be comfortable in his new home.
Joseph had a great interest in military history, amassing an extensive library on the subject, and he enjoyed classic movies from the 1930's and 1940's. And he most definitely appreciated a good diner where he could have breakfast and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Joseph was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the First Cavalry Division Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Willingboro for nearly fifty years.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington on April 8, 2009. There will be an additional service at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 12:45 pm, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph's wife, Olga, will also be interred at that time. There will be a reception afterwards at the Women In Military Service for America Memorial located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery
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