Biographical/historical information

Mariano Albert Bellitteri was born on November 22, 1910, in New York City, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 30, 1943, served during World War II as a shipfitter first class on board the USS Miami, and was discharged on November 29, 1945. He died on March 2, 1994.

Scope and arrangement

This collection consists of information belonging to Shipfitter First Class Mariano A. Bellitteri that is pertinent to the history of the USS Miami (1941-1945). A copy (1 Jan. 1944) of Cramp News, a newsletter written by the employees of Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia, includes a brief article on the building of the ship and also contains information on labor issues. A yearbook on the history of the USS Miami is also included and it contains brief information on the first ship (1861-1865) with that name. Two radio press releases (June 1944) from the USS Miami regard war in the Pacific, especially the Marianas. Detailed reports of land and air attacks in the Pacific are given, along with a record of losses. Other information in World War II press releases includes assessments and accomplishments of Allied and Axis activities in Europe, DeGaulle's provisional government, comments on President Roosevelt's "peace aims," and miscellaneous reports. Photographs of Mariano Bellitteri and his wife and son from 1941-1945 as well as a group photo of Company 483 at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Sampson, N.Y., from 1943; Bellitteri's discharge papers and "plank ownership" certificate; and a brass ashtray from the USS Miami are also included.

Administrative information

Custodial History

November 21, 1994, 4 items; Papers pertaining to the USS Miami, including a yearbook, radio press release, and a newsletter. Gift courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ruocco.

October 9, 2015, 7 items; Addition includes a leather U.S. Army pouch, Bellitteri's original discharge papers (1945) after World War II, a photograph of him in uniform, two photographs (1943) of him with his wife and son, a "plank ownership" certificate indicating he was a member of the commissioning crew for the USS Miami, and a brass ashtray from the USS Miami. Gift of Chris Ruocco and her husband Steve Ruocco.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Chris Ruocco

Gift of Steve Ruocco

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services Processed by Kitty Rickert in March of 2002 and revised by Samantha Sheffield on October 14, 2015

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms

Personal Names

Bellitteri, Mariano A. (Mariano Albert), 1910-1994

Corporate Names

Cramp Shipbuilding Company--Newsletters
Miami (Light cruiser)
Miami (Side wheel steamer : 1862)

Topical

World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Mariana Islands
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American

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