My cousin's son is doing some research into the Malacarne and Forlin families and he came across this amazing military record on my Great Grandfather Pietro Malacarne. Pietro was born in Lamon, Italy on 28 May 1875. Some of the information was quite enlightening as his Art or Profession was a peasant. He could not read or write. He was drafted as a soldier on 28 Sep 1895 and "called to arms" on 7 Dec 1895. He was in a regiment of the Mountain Artillery in December of the same year. In just 6 months he was "named" Corporal and the following year a Corporal Major. And in November of 1898 he was sent on unlimited leave (I'm guessing they were not at war with anyone for the moment!) But in 1899 he fought in Switzerland, in 1900 in Germany and again in 1901 Germany. Shortly after that he was called to arms (no date) and did not come. They have a few more notations about "he travels abroad regularly" and maybe that is why he did not come? Nope that would not be Pietro as he came from a rather poor family. By 1917 his group was permanently acquitted of service but by late 1917 they are called to arms again. And by April 1917 he is declared a deserter for not having answered the call. So even though he and his family had been living in the United States since April of 1903 all Italian men were expected to return to their home country to fight. They reported him to the Military Tribunal of Bologna on 31 Dec 1917. Amnesty was granted in 1919 and was definitely acquitted of service in 1926 and again in 1930. All of this information was verified and his file closed on April 14, 1932.
My mother always spoke of her grandfather being kind and gentle. Below is a photo of my mother Betty on the right and her sister Marie on the left with Grandpa Pete in the middle. The photo was taken in Pennsylvania.
For more information on Pietro "Pete" Malacarne click HERE.
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