Frank Ballerino

PRIVATE FRANK BALLERINO was born in Camden NJ in 1919. At an early age his parents returned to Italy, and Frank grew up in that country, where he received a grammar school education. He returned to America around 1938, staying with his uncle, Charles Graziosa, of 2004 South 10th Street in Camden NJ. Mr. Graziosa ran a gas station, more than likely at 10th Street & Ferry Avenue in Camden, and Frank Ballerino worked there. In June of 1941, he was drafted into the Army, as America prepared for the coming war. He was called to service on October 24, 1942 in Camden, along with his neighbor Stephen V. Koscianski, who lived only two blocks away and was also involved in the automobile business.

Assigned to the 31st Signal Construction Battalion, he was lost when the HMT Rohna was sunk off the coast of North Africa in November of 1943, along with TEC5 Koscianski.   A survivor of the sinking who was with Private Ballerino at the time reported that he was able to leap clear of the ship, but weakened in the cold waters of the Mediterranean and was lost when the life raft he was clinging to capsized.

Frank Ballerino was survived by his uncle, and also by a brother, Charles Ballerino, of Philadelphia PA. 

   2004 South 10th Street, Camden NJ in May of 2002. As you can see, the house is adjacent to what was a gas station at South 10th Street & Ferry Avenue. The gas station sits across the street from the Clement T. Branch Village Housing project, which was completed in 1941, and a bar, The Democrat Club, which is still in operation today.

EVENING COURIER
CAMDEN, N.J., TUESDAY, JUNE !3, 1944

15 DEAD, 2 MISSING FROM SOUTH JERSEY
Former Camden Resident, Holder of Six Awards, Among New Casualties
SHILOH FLIER LISTED DOWNED IN EUROPE

Fifteen South Jersey men were among the 1511 reported by the War Department today as killed in action on the six fighting fronts. Two others from this area are reported missing.

Killed:
   Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Pearce, of 330 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, formerly of 3404 Federal Street, Camden.
   Private First Class Charles La Porta, of 142 Chestnut Street, Williamstown.
   Private Frank Ballerino, of 2004 South 10th Street, Camden.
   Sergeant Elmer F. Day, of 521 Lexington Avenue, Merchantville.
   Corporal William T. Eastlack, of 142 I Street, Carney's Point.
   Private Clarence T. Jaggers, of Columbia Road and St. James Walk, National Park.
   Sergeant Carl E. Johanson, of 5019 Jefferson Avenue, Pennsauken.
   Corporal Steven V. Koscianski, of 966 Bulson Street, Camden.
   Private First Class William R. McKeon, of Pine Avenue, Blackwood.
   Sergeant Andrew W. Olsen, of Dorothy.
   Corporal Aldo Steffanice, of 74 Norman Avenue, Pennsgrove.
   Private First Class John A. Landicina, of 402 Southeast Avenue, Vineland.
   Michael Carr, of 1059 Everett street, Camden.
   Captain Carlton P. Hogan, of 207 East Union Street, Burlington.
   Corporal Millard E. Buckingham, of 38 Grant Street, Deepwater.

Missing:
   Lt. Robert Probasco, of Shiloh.
   Lt. John Ruggiero, of Bridgeboro Road, Beverly.

3 On Troopship Lost

Ballerino, Koscianski, and Carr are believed to have met their fates on the same transport. War Department telegrams to families of all three men reveal that each was a passenger on a troopship that was lost due to enemy action in the Mediterranean on Nov. 27, 1943. All have been awarded Purple Hearts.

Ballerino, 24, formerly was employed at a gas station owned by his uncle, Charles Grazioa, with whom he resided. A brother Charles, lives in Philadelphia. The dead man was born in Camden but was taken back to Italy by his parents. He returned here five years ago. He was inducted in June, 1941.

The following reported as dead in today's official casualty list were previously reported as missing: Sergeant Day, Private Jaggers, Corporal Koscianski, Private McKeon, and Private Steffanice.

Also listed as dead in today's official casualty list but previously reported in these columns are: Private Michael Yachus, 679 Ferry Avenue, Camden; Joseph H. Johnson, 1273 South Merrimac Road, Camden; Private Harry V. Taylor, 3 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield; Private Merl H. Reagle, Maple Avenue, Lindenwold; Private Jacob K. Jenkins, Marne Highway, Mt. Holly, formerly of Pennsauken; Private Harry E. Harker, 6 Beach Avenue Blackwood; PFC Jack S. Dubois,  Church Street, Williamstown, and Charles R. Stewart Jr., 319 Linden Street, Camden.