From Philadelphia to the Battle of the Bulge

A compilation of compelling letters sent home during World War II by Private John "Lefty" Zagarella to his love, Jeanne Mascetti. John joined the 28th Infantry Division in 1941, married Jeanne during a furlough in 1943 and was killed in fierce fighting during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. The war ended not long after. The book includes his letters, photographs and drawings as well as the telegrams sent by the army telling his wife he was missing, then killed-in-action. Events that occurred during The War, personal and historic are chronicled and described in heartfelt correspondence.

From Philadelphia To The Battle Of The Bulge describes the life of a young couple as they cope with separation, fear and anguish during World War II. The correspondence and photographs, intertwined with timelines and historic events, depict how the conflict affects U.S. Army, 28th Infantryman, Pvt. John Zagarella and his bride, Jeanne, spanning the time period of 1941 to 1945. Their lives are in turmoil: his, during training at several camps stateside, then overseas; hers, as she worked in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and waited anxiously at home. They both contemplated their future together, a future that was not to be; John perished in Luxembourg during The Battle Of The Bulge. Jeanne preserved and treasured their letters to each other for nearly seven decades; letters that reveal extraordinary courage, honor, sacrifice and love, nurtured even during the most trying of historical circumstances. All the letters written during 1945 were Jeanne's letters to her husband; he never received them. He was killed December 20, 1944, but Jeanne was not notified of his death until March, 1945. Her letters to him were returned to her by the Army.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, John "Lefty" Zagarella was a talented commercial artist who, in 1941, joined the 28th Infantry Division, originally the Pennsylvania National Guard. While serving in the Army, he courted then married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Giovannina Mascetti, whom he nicknamed Jeanne. They got married on July 8, 1943 during one of his furloughs before he was shipped overseas, never to return. Johnny wrote Jeanne frequently and regularly. He described his longing for her and for home, and his determination to serve his country as well. He was killed in the vicinity of Wiltz, Luxembourg, during the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. His writings reveal that he was a sensitive, talented, religious person who loved family, music and art; like so many who served and died so young, he did not deserve his fate.