Emilio DiPalma, who fought on the front lines during World War II and served as a courtroom guard during the trial of top Nazi war criminals, has died from the coronavirus. He was 93. DiPalma grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, before being drafted int
US soldier Emilio DiPalma, who fought on the front lines during the Second World War and served as a courtroom guard during the trial of top Nazi war criminals, has died from coronavirus.
He was 93.
Mr DiPalma grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, before being drafted into the US Army in 1944 at the age of 18.
After the Allies defeated Germany, Mr DiPalma was sent to Nuremberg, where he stood guard over Adolf Hitler’s deputies being tried for atrocities committed during the war.
Mr DiPalma died on April 8 after contracting Covid-19 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts, where he was being cared for because of dementia.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here