Wyckoff WWII Veteran Named Parade Grand Marshall

WYCKOFF, NJ — Joseph Francica was just 17 when he enlisted in the Navy to serve during World War II.

He was only 19 when he was discharged and is one of the just 620,000 veterans, out of 16 million, who volunteered to serve during the war.

Francica will be honored for his service when he serves as grand marshall of the township's annual Memorial Day parade.

RELATED: Service And Sacrifice Are Themes Of Wyckoff Memorial Day Festivities

Francica's parents had to sign him up to serve since he was underage. They would only sign him up for the Navy.

"My father said I'd have three meals a day, a place to sleep and, if something happened, it would probably be quick," Francica said in a statement.

Francica had four uncles who were veterans so he had some idea of what to expect during basic training. He was stationed aboard the then-newly commissioned cruiser USS Providence, which was sent to the Mediterranean. He was a machine-gunner and also kept watch on deck.

After V-E Day, the Providence was sent to the Pacific Ocean, but Francica was spared from ocean warfare after Japan surrendered in August.

Francica eventually met his uncle and extended family in Italy in the village of Reggio Calabria, his father's hometown.

The Providence returned to the United States in 1946 and Francica was honorably discharged June 30 as a Seaman First Class. He was awarded the European Theater and the Good Conduct medals.

Francica and his wife Catherine in 1958 had been an active resident. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Wyckoff Ambulance Corps for 13 years and a captain for three. He was one of the first emergency medical technicians in Bergen County in the 1970s. He was a Cub Scout leader and is an usher at St. Elizabeth of Hungary and helps with fundraising.

The Memorial Day service will begin at 10 a.m. at the township's war memorial at the Wyckoff Reformed Church. The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. at Cornerstone Church. The theme this year is service, sacrifice and remembrance.

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Photos: Joseph Francica — Courtesy of Township of Wyckoff/Background image via Shutterstock