Hero Square
JOSEPH PUOPOLO
Army
Joseph J. Puopolo
United States Army
2 February 1932 - 28 February 1951
Joseph John Puopolo was born on February 2, 1932 and lived in East Boston Massachusetts. Puopolo was 17 years old when he enlisted in the United States Army. Puopolo had the rank of Private First Class. His military occupation or specialty was Field Wireman. He died as a prisoner of war in February 1951 while serving in the Korean War.
Puopolo was a member of C Battery, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Artillery, 8th U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950, after his unit attempted to withdraw from Kunu-ri, North Korea, on November 30, 1950 following the Battle of Ch'ongch'on. In 1953, four POWs who returned during Operation Big Switch reported Puopolo had been a prisoner of war and died on February 28, 1951 at Prisoner of War Camp #5. Butchie chose a life of service to his country.
In his youth years he enjoyed going to Wood Island Park with his family where they partook in its beach and lush green lawn. Butchie’s love of sports began at the park’s little league fields. It was not unusual to find him with a cap, bat and ball heading down Putnam to Bennington to Breenan then Neptune to spend his afternoon on the diamond. He loved his Red Sox and hated the Yankees. He was a mischievous, cool and handsome Eastie kid.
His remains were repatriated to the United States in the 1950's and were interred in the National Cemetery of the Pacific. His identity was recently confirmed by the Department of Defense on August 23, 2022. For the heroism displayed in his service to our country, Puopolo was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal and Purple Heart Medal. He was brought home to his family to be buried with his mother Anna Puopolo and younger brother Nicholas Puopolo in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, MA.