Corporal Amelio J. Biondi
U.S. Army, 23rd Infantry Division "Americal Division", 132nd Infantry Regiment
Missing In Action (MIA) on Guadalcanal

Background
Amelio J. Biondi was born in 1918 to parents John Biondi and Pauline Biondi (née Bagatti) in Madrid, Iowa. He had identical twin brother Hidilio and three sisters: Nellie, Alma and Hilda. Later, the family moved to 238 Llewellyn Ave, Highwood, Lake County in Illinois. He completed high school and worked gardener and landscaper at a private estate for several years.

Wartime History
On April 17, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private with serial number 36026279. During 1942, sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Assigned to the 23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division", 132nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company C. On December 8, 1942 landed on Guadalcanal and participated in the Battle of Mount Austen.

Missing In Action
On December 26, 1942 his company was attacking Japanese defensive positions in The Gifu when he went Missing In Action (MIA). Although Corporal Biondi was not seen to fall in battle, he was last seen directly in the path of enemy heavy machine gun fire. The tactical situation precluded any immediate search and his body was not found.

Memorials
Biondi was officially declared dead on December 13, 1945. He earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, posthumously. Biondi is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Search
On February 18, 1949 a team from U.S. Army Graves Registration Service (AGRS) investigated the area but found no trace of Biondi.

Relatives
Hidilio Biondi (twin brother)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Amelio J. Biondi
NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list Amelio J. Biondi as an official POW of the Japanese
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) - Amelio J. Biondi
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency WWII Report for Illinois (Unaccounted For) page 11 [PDF]
(Page 11) Biondi, Amelio J. / Cpl / Army Air Forces [sic U.S. Army] / 36026279 / 132 Inf Reg / 12/26/1942"
Highland Park News "Amelio Biondi declared dead" January 24, 1946 page 8
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Amelio J. Biondi
FindAGrave - Corp Amelio J Biondi
Orchids in the Mud: Personal Accounts by Veterans of the One Hundred Thirty-Second Infantry (1985) page 129
Shots Fired in Anger (1947) page 70
Thanks to Highland Park Public Library, Highwood Historical Society for additional information

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