Video: World War Two Veteran Looks Back On Life And Service

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — “Born in Italy, raised in Brooklyn, and became a citizen of this country in Oxford, Mississippi. What a combination.”

That is the path World War Two veteran Retired Chief Master Sergeant Gino Conti life has taken him.

The man also known as “Chief” and his family immigrated to the United States when he was around three months old.

When Conti became a citizen in Oxford, he recalls sitting down with a judge one on one, “having a conversation for about ten, fifteen minutes.”

“We start the conversation and he says, ‘Now Mr. Conti, are you ready?’ I said yes. ‘Who was the 16th president of the united states?’ I says ‘Papa Lincoln’.  As fast as it came out of his mouth, I came back at him, Papa Lincoln. He said raise your right hand, and he administered the oath…”, said Conti with a laugh, “…that’s how I became a citizen of this country.”

Originally a citizen under his mother’s name, Conti need his mother’s permission to join the armed forces when the war began. Conti became a member of the Army Air Corp “around the age of 20”, said Conti.

“This, is my country…”, “Chief” said, “…and I gave it my very best in World War Two, and in all of the years that I’ve been in uniform.”

Conti was eventually transferred to the United States Air Force after President Harry Truman signed off on the division. Conti would serve for thirty plus years, eventually becoming Chief Master Sergeant in 1961, and eventually retiring from the military in 1970.

The 95-year-old says, “I personally feel, I’d be more than willing and happy to enter the service, even with a cane…and perform the duties that I want.

“If you give me the duties I want, tomorrow morning I’ll report for duty.”

Conti’s two brothers and sister also served during World War Two and “with the grace of God, we all made it back…”

I asked Conti, “What does Memorial Day mean to you?”

He replied, “I have never, in all my years, been asked that question.”

“I celebrated Memorial Day not like the rest of the troops, parade and all that sort of stuff…”, Conti said, “…but within you’re own sphere you recognize that particular day.”

Conti also said a day like Memorial Day reminds of memories he wishes were erased from his mind.

“Sometimes, you don’t want to think about them…”, said Conti, “…you want to forget…I’m trying my very best to forget the past that comes under the heading of not being sweet.”

“Sometimes you try to separate the past, sweet and unsweet, and unbearably…instead of the sweet popping up, the unsweet pops up.”

Although remembering the tough experiences Conti has lived through, he said people should take time to appreciate the way of life that is preserved by the servicemen and women who give the ultimate sacrifice to protect their life.

“When you compare this country, to other countries, where they’re constantly butchering one another, and you say to yourself, look at my country. That should be a lesson to the rest of the world, there’s only one way to live, and that’s peacefully”, the veteran said.

And for any person looking to join the armed forces, Conti says, “If you came in on your own, and you walked in on your two feet, do the best you can.”

Conti’s son also served two tours in the Vietnam War.