Louis A. Di Barba

Louis Di Barba was born in November 1915 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He grew up in a household with eight other siblings, attended high school in Jersey City and became a butcher. Di Barba was twenty-six years old, happily married and working as a butcher shop manager when he was drafted into the army in March of 1943, for service in World War II. He was initially sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for basic training, then was assigned to the Engineer Corps, and sent overseas to England by ship. His unit was stationed near London, where Di Barba and his company had more training. He recalled the bad shape London was in due to the barrage of bombings by Germans during the “Blitz.”

Di Barba was the first in his company to be promoted to corporal. Unfortunately, he was demoted due to his soft nature as well as his fear of pushing his men too far. After London, his unit, the 351^st Engineer Battalion, moved to France and was attached to General Patton’s Third Army. Di Barba said that Paris was his favorite city, although the countryside around Luxembourg was also nice. Paris was liberated by the time he reached it, and Di Barba was able to enjoy some free time. The 351^st was soon moving across France in large trucks towards Germany. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and recalled the freezing winter and small foxholes he had to stay in. Di Barba was shot at once, but not wounded.

While Di Barba was away, his first daughter was born. He wrote many letters to his wife and daughter, even though the daughter was an infant. Di Barba was luckily never wounded during the campaign in Europe and went home after the close of the war. Upon his return, he was so happy to meet his daughter for the first time, but referred to it as a bittersweet moment. Di Barba was sad about their time missed, but was overjoyed that he was finally able to spend time with her. He went on to have another daughter and son.

Di Barba’s homecoming was extremely exciting. The excitement after World War II was palpable throughout the country, and he got to partake in the celebrations. He never revisited Europe, but he enjoyed going on cruises with his wife, as well as visiting their home in Florida. Before and after the war, well into his old age, Di Barba loved to dance. His favorite dance was the Peabody. He would take his wife to parties and dance with her, as well as enjoying dancing with his daughters. Di Barba served from 1942 to 1945, and received the Good Conduct medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern service medal. 

Louis Di Barba passed away on May 5, 2015.