Sam Martino Armetta was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of Michael Armetta and Annetta Provenza. Both his parents were born in Italy and immigrated to the U.S. in 1903. Siblings: Roy, Charles, Mary, Cecilia, Ann, Josephine, and Helen. The family were lifetime members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He married Louise Evelyn Henderlight in 1941.
Served in the 7th Army, 3rd Infantry Division (Blue Devils), 15th Regiment (Can Do), B Company. Awarded the Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received during the Anzio assault, a Bronze Star for capturing three German snipers, and the French Croix de Guerre.
Killed near Strasbourg, France, December 26, 1944. He was returned from St. Avold-Metz, France.
Burial U.S. National Cemetery, Knoxville.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 14 January 1945
Staff Sgt. Sam M. Armetta, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Armetta, North Central Street, was killed in France on Dec. 26, the War Department has notified his wife, Mrs. Louise H. Armetta, 173 Higgins Street. Sgt. Armetta had been in the Army since May, 1943, and overseas since October of that year. He had been wounded twice. He was awarded the Purple Heart and an Oak Leaf Cluster for the wounds and returned to active duty early in December. He also held the Combat Infantryman’s badge for action beyond the line of duty, and the Bronze Star Medal. Before going into service, he owned and operated a restaurant on North Central. He trained at Camp Wheeler, Ga.
A brother, Seaman Roy J. Armetta is stationed in South Weymouth, Mass., and a sister, Josephine, is in training as a cadet nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Memphis. Sgt. Armetta was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 22 March 1915
- Date of death: 26 December 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Anzio
- Awards: Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, French Croix de Guerre
- Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Cecilia T. Armetta
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
