Antonio Pierro (soldier)

Antonio Pierro
Born	(1896-02-15)February 15, 1896 Forenza, Basilicata, Kingdom of Italy
Died	February 8, 2007(2007-02-08) (aged 110) Swampscott, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA
Branch	Army
Years of service	1917-1918
Unit	82nd Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War I Meuse-Argonne Offensive Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Spouse	Mary L. Pierre

Antonio "Anthony" Pierro (February 15, 1896 - February 8, 2007) was an Italian-American supercentenarian, auto body shop owner and a veteran of World War I, ^[1] who was the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

Early Life

Antonio was born in the town of Forenza, Italy, to Rocco Pierro (1862–1952) and Nunzia Dell'Aquilla (1866–1957). When Antonio was 16-years-old, he and his family immigrated to America through Ellis Island in 1913. From New York, the family moved to Swampscott, Massachusetts, where Antonio found work as a gardener for an estate. ^{[1] [2]}

World War I

World War I began in 1914 and America entered the war in 1917. Antonio was drafted by both the United States and the Kingdom of Italy. Antonio decided to fight for the Americans and was placed in the 82nd Infantry Division and was shipped off to France. During the war, Antonio helped move artillery ammunition with a horse-drawn cart and took part in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in September 1918. Notably, Antonio was the last surviving veteran of this battle. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Post-War

Following the war, Antonio married Mary L. Pierre in the 1920s and worked an auto body shop in Lynn. Pierro lived in the city of Swampscott until his death in 2007, making him one of the last World War I veterans. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

References

1. "Swampscott WWI Immigrant Veteran Chose U.S. Army, Lived To 110". www.wbur.org. 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
2. Laskin, David (February 27, 2010). The Long Way Home: An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War. Harper Collins.
3. Martone, Eric (2016-12-12). Italian Americans: The History and Culture of a People. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN   978-1-61069-995-2.
4. "Obituary information for Anthony Pierro". www.solimine.com. Retrieved 2025-11-20.