Frankfort - Capt. Joseph T. Aiello US Army Ret, 93, of 111 Orchard St. passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 29, 2012 in his home. He was born in Frankfort on February 22, 1919, the son of the late Salvatore and Mary Capitano Aiello and he attended Frankfort schools. He served during World War II with the US Army and was Honorably Discharged on February 18, 1949 with the rank of Captain. Joe began his career in the US Army in 1940. In 1942, he was shipped to Scotland to prepare for the invasion of Africa. On November 8, 1942 the Big Red One invaded Oran, Africa which was the first invasion on foreign soil. He and his unit were involved with three invasions; Africa, Sicily and Normandy, serving under General Teddy Roosevelt. He was awarded Bronze Service Stars for his service in Oran, Tunis, Sicily, Normandy, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded a battlefield commission on December 13, 1944 to the rank of Captain. Captain Aiello was awarded the following medals and citations, Silver Star and Cluster, Bronze Star and Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, ETO Ribbon with 8 Campaign Ribbons, Two Unit Citations, WWII Victory Medal, Occupation Ribbon and the French and Belgium Fourrageres. He was also awarded three Purple Hearts for injuries received in Sicily in July of 1943, Germany in September of 1944 and Germany in November of 1944. Following Captain Joe's retirement from the military he was employed as a piano tuner and was the owner and operator of Kemp's Music Store, Boonville for many years. He was also the owner and operator of Western Auto on Main St. in Frankfort, until his retirement in 2003. He was a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church and a member of the American Legion Post #845, Frankfort where he served as Chaplin and Post Commander for many years, the Herkimer County American Legion where he served as County Commander from 1980 - 1981, a Life Member of the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One," the Addolorata Society, Frankfort as well as the St. Francis Di Paolo Society, Frankfort. Joseph is survived by his sister, Caroline Drapalski of Stittville; six grandchildren, Donald T. Aiello, Joseph Aiello and his wife, Bille Jo, Louis Aiello, Kathy Brimley, Judy and her husband Richard Dotero and Gina Aiello; eight great-grandchildren, Jill and her husband, Major Aaron Mallory, Ryan Brimley, Bobbie Jean and her husband, Jeremy Wisheart, Toni Ann Dotero, David Aiello, Anthony Aiello, James Aiello and Joseph Aiello; three great-great-grandchildren, Braidon, Connor and Lennox and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one son, Donald Aiello on March 30, 2002; three brothers, John Sarullo, Anthony Nan Aiello and Angelo Aiello and two sisters, Mary Polizzi and Mary Aiello. His funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 PM from the V. J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Ave., Frankfort and at 2:30 PM in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Leo Potvin and assisted by Deacon James Bower. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4-8 PM at the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. Members of the American Legion will meet Thursday evening at 6:15 at the funeral home for services. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Joseph's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com