- December 23, 2024
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Larry C. Penna, a World War II veteran, will turn 100 in April 2023. Here, Penna is wearing his uniform's hat. Photo by Sierra Williams
Larry Penna in his uniform at basic training in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1943. Photo courtesy of the Penna family
From left to right: Bea Penna, 96; Larry Penna, 99; Vincent Drohan and his wife Dotty. In front: Lawrence "Lon" Penna and his wife Helen. Photo by Sierra Williams
Memories from Larry's Penna's time in service. Photo by Sierra Williams
Bea and Larry Penna's wedding day in 1946. Photo courtesy of the Penna family
Larry Penna earned three medals for his service: for serving in the European Theatre, for serving in World War II, for good conduct. To the right, Penna's badge from the 9th Army Air Force division. Photo by Sierra Williams
A C-47 cargo plane that Larry Penna and the 9th Army Air Force loaded with supplies. Photo courtesy of the Penna family
A photo of Larry Penna that he sent to his mom while he was in training at Colorado State College. Photo courtesy of the Penna Family
Larry Penna taking inventory sometime during his service, after the war. Photo courtesy of the Penna family
At 99 years old, Larry Penna has a lot going for him: he still has his wife Bea, 96, around to keep him on his toes after 76 years of marriage; he doesn’t use a walker, their two sons switch off visiting them each month here in Palm Coast and his sense of humor is still as sharp as a tack.
But five months shy of turning 100, Penna said he doesn’t remember much about his service in World War II.
“That’s a long time ago,” he said, almost 80 years later. “I didn’t think I would live this long.”
Penna said he was working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at the start of the war. Because it was contributing to the war effort, he had an exemption from the draft, so long as he never missed a night’s work.
“Most of my friends were in the service already,” Penna said. “And I felt kind of bad not being in yet.”
So one night, he took his then-girlfriend Bea on a date instead of clocking in. The next day, he was told he’d lost his exemption and was drafted.
“That's the way he volunteered,” Lawrence “Lon” Penna said, Larry and Bea’s oldest son.
In April of 1943, 20-year-old Penna entered into service, where he would stay through December 1945.
Penna was sent to basic training in Atlantic City, New Jersey, then school at Colorado State College. After combat training, he said he entered into the 8th division of the Army Air Force.
Shortly after, he was transferred to the 9th division and stationed near Manchester, England, where he said he oversaw the loading of C-47 cargo planes, and never saw combat.
“He went over on the liberty ship,” Bea Penna said. “And he was [sea]sick for 10 of the 11 days.”
She said the two of them decided before he left to go their own ways and get back together when he came home if it was what they both wanted.
They were married in 1946.
“Because he made me laugh,” Bea Penna said. “And he still makes me laugh.”
A lot of what Penna said he remembers from his time in England are good memories about his buddies, faces that have since died.
But most of Larry Penna’s life was spent with Bea and their children, making an honest living, first on Wall Street, later at a newspaper press in Bristol, Connecticut, where he eventually retired. Bea Penna said her income as a teacher was saved exclusively for vacations and college funds.
In retirement, they travelled; they’ve lived in Germany, France and Italy, Bea Penna said.
“They were wonderful parents,” Lon Penna said. “I really lucked out.”
Lon Penna has been writing down his father’s memories as they come to him, and is finally compiling them into a biography after several years.
Memories of a long, happy life. And when asked about the proudest moment of his 99 years, it wasn’t his service Larry Penna mentioned first.
“I got married,” he said, almost 80 years later.
