Samuel George Giovenazzo

Their Story

Samuel G. Giovenazzo was born June 30, 1924, in Silvis, Illinois, the son of George and Concetta (Pollicino) Giovenazzo. He was one of eight siblings and was the younger brother of Joe and Michael Giovenazzo.¹ Not much is known about Samuel’s early life, so his story began on December 7, 1941.

On December 7, 1941, Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona, Oklahoma, and Utah were sunk.² The attack killed more than 2,300 military personnel and civilians.³ On that day, newspaper reports consumed the eyes of Americans, and the radio reports filled their ears. Out of rage and patriotism, thousands of young American men enlisted in the military all across the country. Congress declared war on December 8. The battle was officially on. For Samuel, it wasn’t just about rage and patriotism. His two older brothers, Michael and Joe, were both stationed at Pearl Harbor. Samuel enlisted on December 31, 1941. A week later, his family would be informed that Michael was interred in the U.S.S Arizona after being told he was alive.⁴

Samuel would never see the war personally. He stayed at Pearl Harbor as a Naval Storekeeper, abbreviated to SK. A storekeeper, now referred to as supply, is responsible for ordering parts, clothing, general supplies, budgeting, and inventories.⁵ Think of them as supply chain managers. While at Pearl Harbor, he went from the U.S.S. Navy Yard Pearl Harbor⁶ to the U.S.S. Shamrock Bay,⁷ Henderson,⁸ and back to the Navy Yard.⁹ It was also the first time in over four years Joe and Samuel were home at the same time. Joe was on Reenlistment Leave, and Samuel was on End of Service Leave.¹⁰

On September 14, 1946, he married Lavonne Christie.¹¹ Samuel and Lavonne left for Los Angeles for the Plastics Industries Technical Institute the next day.¹² In 1947, he graduated and they returned to the Quad Cities, where he worked for John Deere Harvester Works for 35 years.¹³ He was also offered a chance to relocate to France for John Deere but wanted to stay in the Quad Cities as one of only two divisional industrial engineers. He retired in 1982 and sold petroleum independently.

Samuel stayed busy while he was working and after retirement. He enjoyed fishing in Minnesota and photography. He earned his amateur radio operator license. He was also a NASCAR fan. Samuel became a member of many organizations. He joined the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, the American Management Association, Pearl Harbor Reunion Association, the Silvis Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, and was a Master Mason for Blue Lodge. He also led a Junior Achievement company. He and Lavonne were also members of the Friendly Squares Square Dancing Club.¹⁴ Samuel was also an honoree on the second Honor Flight from the Quad Cities to Washington.

In 2009, Samuel passed away at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus in Rock Island, seven years after his wife passed away.¹⁵ Initially, he and his wife were buried in Belmond, Iowa, at the New Amsterdam Cemetery¹⁶ but were later relocated to the National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal in 2013. He is in Section N, Row 0, Site Number 780.