Anthony Arico Sr. to serve as N.B. grand marshal

Memorial Day ceremony will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Community Park

BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Anthony Arico Sr. will serve as the grand marshal for North Brunswick’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.

Arico has lived in town since 1946, after coming to America from Italy in 1929 when he was 5 years old.

Living in Norwich in upstate New York, he went to Binghamton, N.Y., after high school graduation to enter the U.S. Navy.

Enlisting on Aug. 26, 1943, Arico attended boot camp at the Naval Training Station Sampson in New York for seven weeks. Afterward, he began three months of training as a gunner’s mate in Norfolk, Va. From there he was transferred to Portland, Maine, for more training.

Arico was sent to Pier 92 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he boarded the USS Jeffers DD 621. After several weeks of sailing, his crew landed off the coast of England and spent some time there before heading to and anchoring at Normandy, France.

“As the invasion began, we were ordered to sail along the shorelines and provide a smoke screen cover for the landing craft,” Arico wrote in a description of his military service. “We sustained several hits from German shore artillery but we were able to complete our mission.”

After the invasion, the fleet was redirected to patrol the Mediterranean Sea and participated in several missions before heading back to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs and conversion.

The ship was fitted with mine sweeping gear, and its designation changed to Okinawa, Japan.

“On April 24 we came under attack by Kamikaze planes and were able to shoot all but one out of the sky. We had no casualties, but sustained some damage and several injuries, so we proceeded to Guam for repairs and care,” Arico said.

Once the Navy learned that Japan had surrendered, they were ordered to Tokyo Harbor to clear the harbor of all mines so that the USS Missouri could sail in safely for the signing of Japan’s declaration of surrender.

Arico remained in Japan for three more months and was then transferred to the USS Cowie DD 39, since he did not have enough points for separation at the time.

While serving overseas, Arico received the following medals: World War II, European African & Middle Eastern Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Asia Occupation Service, American Campaign, D-Day Participation and Honorable Discharge.

He eventually sailed back to the United States and was discharged from the Navy on March 27, 1946.

The same year, Arico married Carmella Arno and settled down in North Brunswick, where they raised their children.

Arico became a Democratic committeeman for what is now known as the 4th District and held that position until 2005. He is also a member of the American Legion, the Italian American Social Club and the Knights of Columbus.

“[I] held several positions in the town, always having the best interest of North Brunswick in mind and heart,” he said.

The Memorial Day ceremony will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday on the great lawn of North Brunswick Community Park, 2350 Route 130 south, following the annual 5K walk/run.

The 5K packets can be picked up from Road Runner Sports, at the Shoppes at North Brunswick, and at the intersection of Routes 1 and 130, from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow. Packets will not be distributed from the Department of Parks & Recreation office.

For more information, call 732-247- 0922 ext. 475.

Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].