But Battaglia, who served in the Army Air Corps as Allied forces crushed Adolf Hitler’s war machine, died last August at the age of 99 without ever receiving several medals due to him for his service.
That wrong was righted Friday at Ansonia City Hall thanks to the efforts of a persistent niece, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
The niece, Joanne DaSilva, reached out to Blumenthal’s office to see if he could arrange for the awards — Army of Occupation Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Victory Medal — to be presented posthumously.
The senator obliged.
“He was devotingly and unstintingly an American,” Blumenthal said of Battaglia. “Son of immigrants, he was as patriotic as the American flag.”
In remarks at City Hall, the senator noted that such ceremonies are so common because Battaglia, like so many other members of the “greatest generation,” fought for something more than awards.
“The simple answer is they didn’t fight for the medals. They didn’t really care much about the medals,” Blumenthal said. “They came home and like Pat, they devoted their lives to community and church and family and went about their lives to give back.”
DaSilva wished her uncle had been alive to receive the medals in person.
“It would’ve meant the world to him,” she said. “He was very humble. He probably would have played it off a bit.”
“Uncle Pat was never lost for words,” she said. “This would be the first time he would have nothing to say.”
Mayor Cassetti called Battaglia a hero and a friend.
Click here to read Battaglia’s obituary.
“I’ve known Pasquale since I was a little boy,” Cassetti said. “My grandmother and grandfather and my mother and father swore by him with the television, getting their TV repaired. He was the best at it. I remember visiting him often and hearing his war stories. Great memories.”
“This recognition pales in comparison to the role he played and the bravery he displayed for his country and his fellow soldiers,” the mayor said.
DaSilva said Cassetti and Blumenthal were two of the only politicians her uncle liked.
“He was very bipartisan,” the senator quipped.
After the presentation, DaSilva said she wanted to loan the medals to Ansonia for display at City Hall.
Cassetti accepted and said he would set up a display.
Blumenthal urged other World War II veterans and their families to contact his office if they are due medals they have not received.
“Very bluntly, and unfortunately, we’re losing a lot of World War II veterans,” the senator said. “The greatest generation is passing away.”
“The only way it would be better is if Pasquale was with us,” Blumenthal went on. “But I feel he is.”
Friday’s ceremony was attended by many of the officials and residents Battaglia got to know during his time in Ansonia, including another niece, Janice Easter, and a former neighbor, Tom McEwan.
Among those also in attendance were local attorney Greg Stamos, Tax Collector Tammy Blackwell, Animal Control Offier Jean Roslonowski, and WPCA Administrator Rita St. Jacques.
“Is there anybody that didn’t know Uncle Pat?” DaSilva wondered.
Later, she singled out Ansonia Police Detective James Frolish, who would stop by Battaglia’s to have weekly chats with him while a patrol cop.
“My uncle loved this man because he said he had a heart,” DaSilva said, saying Frolish would even stop by with cookies his wife baked. “That’s community.”
