Rowland Joseph Adamoli

Photo courtesy of his nephew, Matt Primus

The database page for Rowland Joseph Adamoli

11 Jun 2001 Rowland Adamoli was the first Philadelphian to be killed in action in the Republic of Vietnam. He is remembered by his friends and family. A memorial from a nephew's friend, Willy Wilson wfp173abn69@aol.com

07 Jul 2002 Corporal Adamoli's memory is kept alive by his surviving children and their families. Karen Adamoli LeBlanc and her husband SSgt Al LeBlanc USMC (Ret) have three children and one grandchild: Jade, James, and Chase LeBlanc. Jade has a daughter named Lisa. Heidi Adamoli Boone Harting and her husband SSgt Greg Harting USMC have one son: Michael. If there is anyone who would like to share memories with Cpl Adamoli's family, please contact us. Gregory D Harting, SSgt USMC Marine Security Guard Detachment, American Embassy, Madrid Spain thehartings@hotmail.com

01 Sep 2002 The photo and following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. The special supplement was issued in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. "Adamoli, 25, was one of the first Marines from Philadelphia to die in Viet Nam. He had dropped out of high school and gone to work as an apprentice bricklayer when he joined the Marine Corps in August 1961. The 6-footer, youngest of six children, later earned his high school diploma in the service. Adamoli loved country music and played soccer and football at the Germantown Boys Club. He had extended his enlistment six months to qualify for a tour of duty in Viet Nam after American involvement there escalated sharply in 1965. Adamoli was considering apprenticing as an electrical linesman with a Marine buddy when they returned home. "He was kind of a daring boy," recalled a sister after his death in Chu Lai, Quang Tin Province, on August 18, 1965, during Operation Starlight. The corporal, an amphibious tractor crew chief, had been assigned to Company A, 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. In addition to his sister, Adamoli was survived by his wife and a daughter. His father, a Marine combat veteran decorated for bravery in World War I, died the previous year." SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

15 Dec 2004 I was a friend of his brothers Mario and Carl. I knew him as "Mole" when we were kids. From Frank Margiotti frankmm1@aol.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 18 August 1965, elements of the 3rd and 4th Marines made simultaneous amphibious and airborne assaults in an area about 10 miles south of Chu Lai. The purpose of OPERATION STARLITE was to cut off and destroy the 1st VC Regiment (60th Bn, 80th Bn, 52nd VC Co, and a Weapons Company). The landings met only light resistance but heavy fighting broke out as the Marines deployed from the LZs. During the fighting, a resupply convoy from A Company, 1st AMTRACS, came under intense enemy mortar, recoilless rifle, and small-arms fire. Of the 23 Marines assigned to the convoy, six were killed including the officer in command, 2LT R. F. Cochran, and several others wounded. When the convoy was relieved, 60 enemy bodies were found on the battlefield. The six men from Alpha Company, 1st AMTRACS, who died in the fighting were 2ndLt Robert F. Cochran, Poplarville, MS (Navy Cross) Cpl Rowland J. Adamoli, Philadelphia, PA LCpl John Bell, Tampa, FL LCpl Victor Flores, Austin, TX LCpl Verlon Hadley, Bay Minette, AL Pfc James N. Kalil, Osceola, IN Rowland Joseph Adamoli, Corporal, United States Marine Corps, was buried on 30 Aug 1965 in Plot D 0 1046-MM, Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey, among other men of honor and courage.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his daughter, Heidi Adamoli Harting thehartings@hotmail.com

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index A PA State Index . Panel 02E 1ST AMTRACS Index Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 11 Jun 2001
Last updated 07/20/2006