Grimaldi, Rocci R.

Description

Rocco R. Grimaldi

Rocco R. Grimaldi was born in New York in 1919. He had three sisters Frances, Nona and Victoria and two brothers John and Anthony. In Rye his family lived at 29 Grapel St. and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Rocco was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1936.

Rocco was employed by the Bullard Machine Tool Company Bridgeport Conn as a machinist prior to Joining tha AAF.

He Joined the Army Air Corps on November 4, 1942 and was commissioned on April 15 1944. He was sent to England to serve with the Eighth Air Force on Oct 22 , 1944.

Flight Officer Grimaldi served with the 91st Bombardment Group

The 91st Bomb Group (Heavy) was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. Classified as a heavy bombardment group, the 91st operated B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and was known unofficially as “The Ragged Irregulars” or as “Wray’s Ragged Irregulars”, after the commander who took the group to England.

During its service in World War II the unit consisted of the 322nd, 323rd, 324th, and 401st Bomb Squadrons. The 91st Bomb Group is most noted as the unit in which the bomber Memphis Belle flew, and for having suffered the greatest number of losses of any heavy bomb group in World War II.

Rocco R Grimaldi flew 34 missions and was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement as a B-17 Flying Fortress co-pilot.