West Babylon street dedicated to World War II Army sergeant

It wasn't until about five years ago that John Walpole Sr. started wondering about the U.S. Army sergeant in a photo on the wall of American Legion Post 1634 in West Babylon.

"I noticed the photo was reversed," said Walpole, a post member who served in Vietnam as a Navy aircraft structural mechanic. "Instead of 'U.S.' (on a button on the sergeant's lapel), it said 'S.U.', like Soviet Union."

Walpole had an expert restore the picture and said he became more determined to learn about the man in the photo.

The image was of Sgt. John Sardiello, a West Babylon resident for whom the post was named in 1948, following his death on July 29, 1944. "I asked around, but no one knew anything about him," Walpole said.

Walpole said Saturday that Sardiello has finally received his due recognition. A portion of Bruce Street, outside the post, was given an honorary new name, "Sgt. John Sardiello Memorial Way," and the building was rededicated Saturday in his honor.

Walpole and his son had reached out to California-based American military casualty researcher Bill Beigel, who found that Sardiello belonged to the 119th Infantry Regiment and was killed at age 25 in the intense post-D-Day fighting in the vicinity of St. Lo, France.

Beigel also learned Sardiello was killed by shell fragment wounds to the head, believed to have been from friendly fire.

About 40 people attended the ceremony, including members of Sardiello's family and local and state officials. The family also donated to the post some of Sardiello's belongings, including a wedding photo with his wife, Lillian, and his Purple Heart.

Suffolk County Legis. Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said that with the expanded terrorism threat, it is important to honor those who fight for our freedom.

"I'm very pleased," said Robert Nelson of Rocky Point following the ceremony. He is the son of Sardiello's late wife and her second husband. "I'm very pleased for my mom and for John Sardiello."