"That War was a Great Adventure": Italian-Americans in the U.S. Military, 1898-1902, Volume 2

This book is the second volume in a series dedicated to the history of Italian-Americans in the United States military, 1898-1902. Historian Peter L. Belmonte presents the stories and biographies of over 230 Italian-Americans who served in the U.S. Navy from 1898 through 1902. It covers the role of over 155 Italian-American musicians in the U.S. Navy during this era. Other interesting items are the stories of the Italian-American musicians aboard the USS Mayflower, the prevalence of Italian-American musicians in the Navy in 1900, and a listing of Italian-American sailors present at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. Using such primary sources as Navy pension applications, Peter L. Belmonte shows the human side of the bare facts and figures usually presented. This book adds an important dimension to the historiography of the United States military forces that helped to usher in America’s world dominance in the 20th century. It is also a unique addition to the story of Italian immigrants in the United States.