Fortunato, Santoro Families Honored

Street Corners Dedicated to WWII Vets

Three of the Santoro brothers unveiled their sign at the corner of Wheeler Ave and Bow Street.

The Fortunatos stand by their sign at the corner of Stanley and College Avenues.

– Allison Goldsberry

Two Medford families.  Fifteen men.  All fought in World War II, and all returned home safely. 

For the Fortunatos and Santoros, the dedication of street corners in honor of their families will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices they made serving their country.

Seven Fortunato brothers served in the war- Francis in the Army, storming the beach in Normandy on D-Day; Paul also in the Army, stationed in the Pacific; Carmine an Army paratrooper, landing behind enemy lines over the Rhine; Arthur, John, and William in the Army Air Corps; and George in the Navy.

“It is even more rare that seven siblings, after seeing combat, all return home alive and well,” said Attorney Paul Fortunato, who delivered remarks on behalf of the family.

(Click here for video highlights of the Fortunato’s dedication)

Eight Santoro brothers fought for their country- Harry in the Coast Guard, stationed in Alaska; Joseph, a Marine, assigned to a tank in Guadalcanal; Tom in the Army, stationed in the South Pacific; Leo in the Coast Guard; John in the Army, serving in France and Germany as a military police officer; Paul in the Army’s 475th Regiment in Asia; Charlie in the Navy, stationed in the South Pacific; and Jimmy in the Coast Guard Reserves.

Remarkably, Paul was the only brother injured, his neck hit by schrapnel while he served in Burma as one of “Merrill’s Marauders.”  Paul later received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery for assisting his squad leader during the battle.

“It is a big honor that our family is being honored with this dedication tonight,” said Eugene Santoro, Joseph Santoro’s grandson.

(Click here for video highlights of the Santoro’s dedication)

Mayor Michael McGlynn thanked each family for their “unselfish service and dedication” and said each of the men who served were “prime examples of the term ‘the greatest generation.’ ”

The Fortunatos grew up on Stanley Avenue.  A sign in their honor stands at the corner of Stanley and College Avenues.  The Santoros, from Wheeler Avenue, have a sign dedicated to them at the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and Bow Street.

The famed Mondello band of Medford performed at each ceremony and the American Legion Post 45 posted the colors.