| Joseph T. Angelo | |
| Birth Date: | 16 February 1896 |
| Death Date: | 23 July 1978 (aged 82) |
| Placeofburial: | Cremated |
| Allegiance: |  United States |
| Branch Label: | Branch |
| Rank: | Private |
| Servicenumber: | 243496 |
| Unit: | 304th Tank Brigade |
| Battles: | World War I |
| Awards: | Distinguished Service Cross |
Joseph T. Angelo (16 February, 1896 – 23 July, 1978) was an American veteran of World War I and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross. Prior to joining the U.S. Army, Angelo worked for the Du Pont Powderworks, and was later involved in the Bonus Army movement of the 1930s.[1]
Angelo was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Meuse–Argonne offensive on September 26, 1918, as the Colonel's orderly (batman) with 304th Tank Brigade, commanded by future General George S. Patton During the battle, in an exposed position Patton was seriously wounded by a machine gun. Showing great courage under enemy fire, Angelo dragged Patton to safety. He had thus saved the life of a man who would one day become an American legend. The citation for his DSC reads:
In the spring of 1919, an interview appeared in American newspapers in which Patton declared Angelo "without doubt the bravest man in the American Army. I have never seen his equal." According to the interviewer, Angelo began "blushing furiously" as he related the following details:
In 1932, while Patton continued his path on his famous military career, Angelo had returned to civilian life. He was unemployed and suffering along with many other veterans from the effects of the Great Depression. As a result, he joined the Bonus Army movement of First World War veterans demanding monetary compensation for their roles in the war. The particular issue was that these veterans had been promised compensation but they were not due to receive it until 1948 (the money was eventually awarded in 1936). Given the realities of the depression, veterans such as Angelo demanded the money be paid immediately.
The veterans marched on Washington D.C., setting up camps in order to protest against the administration of President Herbert Hoover.
On July 28, 1932, troops were ordered into the camps to quell the protest. In the resulting melee, two veterans were killed and many were injured. The commanders of the operation included Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Patton, the man saved by Angelo so many years before. In the aftermath of the assault on the camps, Angelo approached Patton, but was harshly rejected. The last known words between the men were uttered by Patton:
"I do not know this man. Take him away and under no circumstances permit him to return."
He explained to his fellow officers that Angelo had "dragged me from a shell hole under fire. I got him a decoration for it. Since the war, my mother and I have more than supported him. We have given him money. We have set him up in business several times. Can you imagine the headlines if the papers got word of our meeting here this morning. Of course, we'll take care of him anyway."[2]