Perry Antonio DiStefano was born on 10 October 1920 in Magna, Salt Lake City, Utah. He follows three brothers and is the fourth child and fourth son of Girolamo and Katherine DiStefano. Perry has seven brothers and one sister.
Magna, Salt Lake, Utah
Magna is located at the base of the Northern Oquirrh Mountains and was originally called Pleasant Green in 1851. In the early 1900’s, copper mining activity in the Oquirrhs began transforming the Pleasant Green area from an agricultural hamlet to an industrial community. The Utah Copper Company, which later became Kennecott Copper Corp., began constructing its Magna Mill in 1906. The owner, named his mill “Magna” from the Latin word meaning “Great” or Superior. The town adopted the name “Magna” in 1906.
Many of the early residence were immigrants primarily from Italy, Greece and Eastern Europe. Magna developed a reputation for embodying the American dream. Several small neighborhood, such as Japtown, Snake Town and Little Italy developed around main street.
At the time, automobile commuting to work was not practical, few mining workers had cars and cross valley roads were in marginal condition. Perry’s father, Girolamo, took advantage of this condition and purchased a truck and provided workers transportation to the mill.
Childhood
Most of his childhood and teen years were spent in Tabiona, Duchesne, Utah. His parents owned a General Store in Hanna. He was know as “Dusty” to his family and friends.
Military Service
When World War II broke out, Perry enlisted and was stationed in the Pacific Theater.
The follow is a letter written to James 23 February 1942. Perry was 21 years old.
Following is a note written to James – January 23, 1943. Perry was 22 years old.
The following is a letter written to Joe, postmarked 2 April 1844. Perry was 23 years old.
Death
In mid-September, Perry’s family was informed that he was killed on Biak Island, off the north coast of New Guinea, on 9 September 1944. He was a month shy of being 24 years old. Perry never married but had high hopes of tying the knot with an Australian girl by the name of Ruth.
