BARRE – One of the most recognizable landmarks of the village of South Barre, the Barre Wool and Combing Co. factory, crumbled into history near the end of 2021 when the former mill site was razed.
The old brick mill closed in 1974 after 71 years of operation, first opening in the early part of the 20th century by Francis Willey, whose English woolen company brought work as well as countless opportunities for the people of the town.
Eventually, immigrants from Canada, Italy, Poland, and other parts of Europe arrived in the town to work in the mill.
“Their cultures and customs helped shape the Town of Barre,” noted Barre town historian Lucy Allen. “Many of these immigrants fought for their new country, and some gave their lives.”
In a recent tribute written about the demise of the old woolen mill, Allen documented some of the military contributions from soldiers who hailed from the South Barre village.
“Within one block you can see Celona Square, honoring Salvatore J. Celona who was killed in action in World War II; Corso Square, honoring the sacrifice of 1st Lt. Americo J. Corso who was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge; and the Basil D. Izzi Memorial Bridge, which recalls the incredible survival of our local seaman. He spent 83 days adrift on a raft after his ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in World War II.”
This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes.
Pvt. Salvatore J. Celona (1919-1944)
Salvatore John Celona was born on Feb. 20, 1919 in Pittsfield, the son of Nunziato and Cattarina Celona.
His parents were born in Italy, and Salvatore grew up on Canal Street in South Barre, living with his mother Cattarina. He attended the High Plains School and Barre High School
After high school, Celona lived at 7 Beech St. in South Barre and was employed by the Barre Wool and Combing Co. He was also a musician, playing with Frankie Marks Hi-Hatters, as well as the Barre Brass Band prior to his induction into the Army.
He registered in Athol on Oct. 20, 1940 and enlisted in Springfield on Jan. 10, 1944. Before his entrance into the service, he and his wife, Giovannia, were married.
Celona spent approximately two months overseas, going from the States to England and remaining there three days before he was shipped over to France.
A telegram to his wife stated that Pvt. Celona was killed in action with the 9th Infantry, 2 Division in Keramis, France on Aug. 28, 1944. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Aside from his wife and his mother, he was survived by four brothers: Kenneth, Joseph, Steve and Nunzio, the latter with the 22nd C.A. Band at Camp Langdon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Celona was buried at the American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-James, in Normandy, France. He is also listed on the monument at Brittany, France.
The Pvt. Salvatore J. Celona Square located on Cedar Street near his former home in South Barre was dedicated on May 22, 1949.
First Lt. Americo Corso (1921-1944)
Amerigo Corso was born on Oct. 28, 1921 in South Barre, the son of Joseph and Concetta Corso. His parents were both born in Italy and he lived at 4 Canal St. with his parents and five siblings, brothers John, Armando and Renaldo, and his sisters Asernta and Violet. His father was a laborer at the Barre Wool and Combing Company.
Corso attended High Plains School and graduated from Barre High School with the Class of 1939. In November of that year, he, his brother Armando and a friend William Thorng, who would later be killed in France, all joined the Army.
They were sent to Panama serving at Fort William Davis Military Reservation at Cristobal in the Panama Canal Zone. He served 3½ years and became a staff sergeant. He returned to Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he received a commission as second lieutenant in the summer of 1944.
Corso was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and later to Maryland, where he remained for only a few months.
After leaving the States, he remained in Africa for a short time, then was sent off to Italy to fight at Anzio Beachhead. He fought at Rome, Cassino, and participated in the invasion of Southern France where he landed with the infantry as a field observer. One of his duties was to report enemy positions to his company after being flown over them as a field artillery observer.
The 3rd Infantry Division, of which Corso was a member, reached the Rhine River at Strasbourg in late November of 1944 and maintained defensive positions there until January.
Tragically, on Dec. 17, 1944, Corso was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge while serving with Battery C, of the 41st Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division in France. The last letter was received by his parents from him was dated Dec. 12, 1944, written five days before his death.
He was buried at Epinal American Cemetery in Arches, Vosges, France
Corso was later awarded the Silver Star (posthumously) for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action,” the Air Medal and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters.
On May 22, 1949, First Lt. Americo Corso Memorial Square, located across the street from Nornay Park in South Barre near his boyhood home on Canal Street, was dedicated.
Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Rd. Sandwich, MA 02563.
