Pt 4: Love Across the Ocean: The Story of Guiseppa and Antonio Corbo’s Journey towards la bella vita
Tony earns citizenship
In parts 1, 2 and 3, Guiseppa’s suitor, Antonio, who was going by “Tony” in America, immigrated in 1913 and began searching for work. The plan: save money to send for his betrothed so that they could start their “beautiful life” together in America.
It’s not clear where Tony worked when he first arrived in St. Paul, but the majority of his working career in the United States was with the railroad. His first railroad job entailed replacing old railroad ties with new ones, making about $1/day with the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad and Tony did not enjoy it at all. Hoping for better pay and a better type of work, he accepted a job as Section Laborer for the Union Pacific Railroad and was transferred to Idaho. This didn’t last long either, as the work was incredibly tough and now he was away from those he knew. He quit and returned to Minnesota. This may be when he obtained a job in an ice cream factory - likely at Vander Bie’s, located nearby. He wasn’t making enough money to cover his expenses and save any substantial amount for his true love. It’s not hard to imagine, especially in these terrifying times, that saving money was challenging and the life of a laborer was grueling and unrewarding.
The U.S. did not join the Allied efforts in The Great War until April of 1917, but by 1914, the effect of Europe’s war was being felt worldwide. In America only one year, Tony’s plan to bring his betrothed to America was in jeopardy. Transatlantic travel became more limited and dangerous. The liners that had previously carried masses of immigrants were converted to wartime use as troop and cargo transports and as hospital ships. Those steamships that remained in commercial operation were threatened by the rise of submarine warfare, as German officials felt justified in attacking ships that might be transporting military supplies, such as the attack on the RMS Lusitania in 1915. It would not be safe for Guiseppa to make the trip. By this time she was 18 years old and though America had not yet directly engaged, her country (Italy) was in the midst of war. Perhaps even some of her older brothers were fighting. Immigration to the United States slowed to a trickle.
As was required by law, all men between the ages of 21 and 31 needed to register for the draft and Tony did so in June of 1917 as part of the first wave of registrations. He was officially enlisted in the United States Army on May 13, 1918, at the age of 24. Of the 4.8 million soldiers who eventually served in the war, about 2.8 million were enlisted via the draft. As an unmarried registrant with no dependents, he was among the first candidates to draw from.
He was sent to Camp Dodge in Iowa for training. As a member of Private Company C, Development Battalion #1, he wasn’t trained on marksmanship and he didn’t have a gunner qualification or rating. His unit was not mounted. In fact, it’s not clear in what type of special skills his Development Battalion had been trained.
During the time he was there, 18,000 officers and soldiers posed as Lady Liberty on the grounds at Camp Dodge. According to a July 3, 1986, story in the Fort Dodge Messenger, many men fainted — they were dressed in woolen uniforms — as the July temperature neared 105°F. The photo, taken from the top of a specially constructed tower, was intended to help promote the sale of war bonds but was never used. At that time, there were about 32,000 soldiers at Camp Dodge, so it is conceivable that Tony was included in this iconic photograph!
World War I, as it later became known, officially ended November 11, 1918. By “telegraphic authority of the Adjunct General of the United States Army” on November 15, 1918, all soldiers at Camp Doge were honorably discharged, effective December 26, 1918. If you ask any of Tony’s grandchildren to list a few qualities of their grandfather, “patriotic” is a word that is mentioned by nearly everyone. He desperately wanted to serve his new country in battle. Years later when all of his sons were enlisted in WW2, he was very proud of their efforts.
In part, because of his time in the Army, he earned his citizenship about a year later on October 17, 1919. At this time, Tony was back working for the railroad.
Between 1915 and 1918 the Italian community of St. Paul’s east side, especially those living in the poorest of immigrant parts of the town, held many festivals to raise funds for the establishment of Saint Ambrose Catholic Church — to be a dedicated church for Italians. Once constructed, the red brick church was located on lower Payne Avenue in St. Paul. It’s easy to believe that Tony contributed toward these efforts and later it would pay off.
In part 5, after seven long years, Guiseppa is finally able to make the journey to America.
I didn't know that WWI had a different name in the beginning. I love learning history from your stories!