Randolph R. Greco was born on September 26, 1918, in Geneva, New York, to John A. Greco and Susan (Asunda) Greco-Chiarilli. He grew up in a large, close-knit Italian-American family with five brothers—Orlando Sr., Albert, Francis, Anthony, and Joseph—and one sister, Mary.
On July 6, 1940, Randolph married Rose Cannuli.
On July 6, 1940, Randolph married Rose Cannuli, who was born on November 7, 1920. Their time together was short but filled with love and devotion before the outbreak of war changed their lives forever.
Randolph enlisted in the United States Army on April 14, 1943, at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, serving under Lt. Colonel Paul F. Oswald.
680th GFAB Patch
He was assigned to Battery B of the 680th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, part of the 17th Airborne Division. After training in several locations, including the Tennessee Maneuver Area and Camp Forrest, Tennessee, his unit shipped out from the Boston Port of Embarkation on August 20, 1944, aboard the USS Wakefield, arriving in Liverpool, England, on August 28.
Men of the 680th GFAB, firing a few minutes after landing at Wesel
Grave 1945
He was killed in action on March 24, 1945, in Flüren, Germany, during Operation Varsity, the largest airborne operation conducted on a single day and in one location during World War II. Randolph was initially buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten (Plot W, Row 9, Grave 208) and later reinterred on April 15, 1948, in Plot E, Row 19, Grave 15.
Following Randolph’s death, Rose eventually remarried. On September 29, 1951, she wed Clayton Conley at Sampson, New York, and together they made their home in Jamestown, North Dakota. Rose dedicated much of her life to community service, working over 20 years at Sunshine Laundromat and volunteering for 38 years at Central Dakota Village, where she enthusiastically called bingo and assisted with special events. Clayton, her second husband, co-owned Conley Implement and worked as a building contractor until his retirement in 1986. He passed away on December 14, 2009. Rose followed on December 23, 2011, at the age of 91.
Pvt. Thomas A. Cannuli
Thomas A Cannuli is buried or memorialized at Plot F Row 3 Grave 21, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
Rose’s brother, Pvt. Thomas A. Cannuli, also gave his life during World War II. He served with the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, and was killed in action in Italy on July 30, 1943. He was the first Italian-American from Geneva, NY, to fall in the war. In recognition of his sacrifice, the Thomas A. Cannuli Veterans Post #23 was named in his honor. He is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, in Plot F, Row 3, Grave 21.
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Randolph R. Greco and Thomas A. Cannuli are part of a proud legacy of courage and selfless service. Their sacrifices—and those of the families who loved them—are forever honored and remembered.
*info: http://www.ww2-airborne.us/