ITALIANS AT FT. JACKSON- Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, is unique in that several distinguished officers, including two Commanding Generals were of Italian American heritage. We feature their stories here and appreciate their service to our country.

MAJOR GENERAL NORMANDO "TONY" COSTELLO was Commanding General from 1956-58. His daughters Toni Costello (member of the Lodge) and Page Ziegler still reside in Columbia. General Costello graduated from West Point in 1929 and served in Panama in a variety of assignments. During World War II he commanded an Infantry Regiment in Europe and also was the Assistant Division Commander of the 80th Division. Before retiring, General Costello was sent to Rome, Italy, where he served as Chief Advisor to the Italian Military. Having grown up in an Italian family and speaking the language, he became enamored by the Italians. After retirement he continued to reside in Columbia until he passed away.

Lodge member Toni Costello shared the following humorous story about her father that took place on the day before he was to become the Commanding General of Fort Jackson. Toni recalls this story as a 12 year old who was sitting in the backseat of her father’s car at the time of this event.

Toni goes on to say that the Costello family immediately became attached to the city of Columbia because of the warm hospitality and enthusiasm the community had for them and the military at Fort Jackson. She said their attachment to Columbia brought them back to live here after her dad retired. Toni attended St. Peter’s School in 1956 and as a junior high student remembered a very special girl friend - Pam Pizzuti. Toni and Pam’s membership with the Sons of Italy has renewed their friendship. At a recent Sunday social held at the American Legion Post 6 building, Toni discovered a photo of her father in the lobby.

MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES S. D'ORSA was the Fort Jackson Commanding General from 1961-64. He was born in Italy and graduated from West Point in 1932 and in World War II served also in the European Theater of Operations also in a variety of assignments with heavy responsibilities to include the heavy fighting of the Italian campaign. During the Korean War he commanded the 180th Infantry Regiment and in 1958 commanded the US Army Berlin Command.

COLONEL ANGELO PERRI, born in Italy in 1929, served at Fort Jackson from 1966 to 1972 and during that time also served two tours in Vietnam. During his stay at Fort Jackson he was a Battalion Commander, Brigade Executive Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of Staff. A 1951 Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Akron, he also served in the Korean War. His final assignment was Commanding Officer of Fort Hamilton, NY. In retirement, he has served on the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and was instrumental in helping to keep Fort Jackson open, as well as obtaining the new VA Cemetery constructed at the junction of Clemson Road and Interstate 20. Burials at the new site are to commence in 2008. Angelo is a member of the lodge.