In an age where we take many of our blessings for granted, and often neglect the remembrance of those who work tirelessly to preserve our liberties, the life of nearly 100-year-old veteran Orlando Prete shows a true picture of sacrifice by his actions both on and off the field of combat.
Prete was born in Masontown on May 25, 1924, three years after his parents, Nazarene and Anna Prete, immigrated to America from Italy. The Prete family soon moved to the coal patch community of Bobtown, and started a homestead in Shannopin Mine’s company housing, part of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, where Orlando’s father was employed. Neither parent spoke English and life was challenging, but the family was hardworking and determined. Even as a young child, Orlando followed suit. His daughter, Diana Gronholm, shares from stories that her father “was really a wholesome kid,” who stayed out of trouble and was extremely mature and thoughtful. When he was young, Orlando loved music, and saved up enough money to buy himself a guitar and occasionally go to a movie at the company cinema.
In the years following the Great Depression, Orlando eventually left high school in order to help support his family. “People were just trying their best to make ends meet,” Diana says. “His family was one of many.” Orlando applied for a job at the mine as well, but with a proposition to only work outside. His wish was respected, and Orlando spent the entirety of his mining career above ground.
Soon, however, a new challenge arose—one that Orlando again met head-on: World War II. John Michniak, an area coordinator for Greene County veterans, provides insight into Prete’s incredible military career. On January 19, 1943, Prete enlisted in the United States Navy at only 19 years of age. (Later in the war, his naval unit was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps.) After receiving his Navy Training Course in the fall of 1944, Prete earned the title of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class. During his tour of duty, mostly on the Pacific Front, Prete fought valiantly for his country, most recognizably in Guadalcanal and the Battle of Okinawa, which was, as Michniak explains, “the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.” Prete was wounded in combat in Okinawa on June 3, 1945, nearly losing his leg, and received many honors for his bravery, most notably the Purple Heart Award and the Presidential Unit Citation for “extraordinary heroism in action against enemy…” Prete also was awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon, both American and Pacific Theatre Ribbons, and the Victory Medal. He was treated for his severe wounds in Oahu, Hawaii and San Francisco, California before returning home to Pennsylvania, being honorably discharged February 2, 1946.
After his recovery, Prete returned to Shannopin Mine, and eventually became the tipple operator there. Soon after his return home, Prete was introduced to a woman by the name of Mary Williams on a blind date. Their meeting was a “love at first sight” encounter, and the two married on October 22, 1949.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Prete moved to Dilliner, where they eventually raised three children: Diana, Mark, and Kathy. In 1950, a new chapter in their lives began. As strikes in the mine became more frequent, Prete and his brother, Louis (“Wegie”), opened a local business to supplement their family’s income, and “Prete’s Texaco” service station was born. In 1966, the two Prete brothers, along with their wives, ventured into another business opportunity and opened “Prete’s Twin Twister Ice Cream”, built from scratch on a piece of property just across the street from the gas station.
One customer with fond memories of Prete and the ice cream stand is the aforementioned John Michniak, who has honored Prete in several veteran ceremonies. Michniak was a young boy playing little league baseball when he met Prete, and he cherishes the memories spent eating ice cream in his store, and visiting with the man so many looked up to. “I think he’s great,” Michniak says. “He’s such a humble guy.”
It was in this humility that Prete would always go the extra mile in order to help someone else. “The phone would ring [after hours when the station was closed] and it was someone needing car assistance. My dad would always find a way to help them out,” Diana remembers. “He was supportive forever, always there for us. God and family were his priorities.”
Those priorities continued to shape Prete’s life from his retirement in 1988 and beyond. Flare-ups from his leg wounds would occur now and again, but the war remained an absent topic of conversation in the family. “He always kept going though, he didn’t miss a beat!” says Diana. Prete remained an active member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, and used his retirement to travel the world with his beloved wife, taking road trips across the country to visit family, many excursions, bus tours, and cruises. Sadly, Mrs. Prete developed lung cancer, and Orlando dedicated himself to her care at home. She passed away in 1997, and Orlando faced the greatest battle since the war.
Yet he kept going, making the best of every moment with his beloved family, continuing with church activities, and pursuing his lifelong passion for gardening. Another of his favorite outings became visiting the casino with a conservative limit to spend, but a liberal amount of friends and family in tow. Prete currently lives at Country Meadows in Bridgeville, where he still lives independently.
Mr. Prete will be honored for his service on May 26 at 1pm at the Greensboro VFW Post 6303 during the annual Memorial Day Service—one day after his 100th birthday.
Michniak states, “Our country is trying to forget our history.” But by honoring those who have dedicated their lives to preserving the American Dream, we won’t let that happen.