Philip Campisi

Phil Campisi is my grandfather. He was born December 10, 1920. Phil always told everyone that he was born in Italy. I'm not sure if he really thought this or not, but there happens to be a Philip Campisi born in Kings, New York on his exact birth date. His family immigrated there and lived there for some time. I'm in the process of getting the paperwork sent off to see if I can receive a copy of this birth certificate. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I hope they send it to me and it matches up to him because I could really use a viable source for his mother's maiden name. Another complication in finding information about Phil's parents, is Phil entered the Army with the last name Campisi and left the army with the last name King. I have not been able to find any legal record of the name change other than through his Army paperwork.

Phil joined in the US Army where he served our country from 29 Aug 1942 to 19 Nov 1945 . He was a sergeant and a paratrooper instructor. He also was a paratrooper in World War II. He was in the 326th Airborne Division. During his time in the Army, he received many awards, including a Purple Heart. My grandma (living) tells me he received this Purple Heart because he was injured in the Normandy Invasion on D-day (6 Jun 1944). Something happened with the chute and he ended up with a severely hurt arm.

After leaving the Army he married a woman named Edna. I know nothing about them then except they had a daughter named Susan and they divorced in 1948. Shortly after this time, he and my grandmother married, had two kids, and divorced.

I've heard also that Phil was a bodybuilder and won the Mr. Miami Beach Competition and was on the cover of a fitness magazine. I wish I could find evidence of this.

Phil moved in with my parents in his older age, but with a young one at home, and Phil losing his mind, they had no choice but to send him to a Nursing Home. Phil died there, ultimately of Acute Cerebrovascular Insufficiency. Phil's death certificate also says that he had Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease.

I never met Phil but I hear he was quite a character. I look forward to learning more about him.