Prisoners of War in New Mexico Agriculture
Abstract of Interview
CONSULTANT: Dr. Michele de Maio
TAPE NUMBER: RG2000-099
DATE
OF BIRTH: February 9, 1915
SEX:
Male
DATE(S)
OF INTERVIEW: July
26, 2000
LOCATION
OF INTERVIEW: de Maio home, Clovis, N.M.
INTERVIEWER:
Cameron Saffell (Also
present, Robert Hart)
SOURCE
OF INTERVIEW: NMF&RHM ___X___
OTHER__________
TRANSCRIBED:
YES ___X___
NO_______
NUMBER
OF TAPES: One
ABSTRACTOR:
Cameron Saffell
DATE
ABSTRACTED: May 3, 2001
QUALITY
OF RECORDING (SPECIFY):
Good. de Maio difficult to
understand at times.
SCOPE
AND CONTENT NOTE: Dr. de Maio
discusses his service as a doctor in the Italian Air Force in North Africa
early in World War II, his imprisonment as a POW at Camp Hereford, Tex., and
his work in an Italian Service Unit in San Pedro, Calif.
Also reviews post-war period when he immigrated to the U.S. and became
licensed to practice medicine in New Mexico.
DATE
RANGE: 1942 – 1988 (bulks in
1942-1952)
ABSTRACT
(IMPORTANT TOPICS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE):
TAPE
ONE, SIDE ONE
Michele de Maio born in 1915 in Salerno province of Italy.
Went through private schools and medical schools to become a doctor of
internal medicine. He was
immediately selected for the Royal Italian Air Force, where he eventually became
a flight surgeon for a unit in Libya and Tunisia.
Surrendered to British, but somehow became a POW of the Americans.
Sent by boat to New Orleans (?), then by train to Hereford, Tex.
Was humiliated by experience, particularly having “only” a staff
sergeant sent to communicate with Italian officers.
Had a dog named “Tomorrow” because that was the frequent answer given
to POWs by American guards instead of yes or no.
Was in mixed compound of fascists and king’s soldiers, who segregated
themselves from each other. After
Italy switched to the Allied side, de Maio and most of the other non-fascist
officers joined (felt commanded) Italian Service Units.
Was moved by train from Hereford to an American camp at San Pedro, Calif.
Worked in the dispensary there. Became
good friends with Ben D’Orio (spelling?), an American officer at the base, had
dinner frequently at the D’Orio home. Was
at San Pedro through end of war, then sent back to Italy where he was
discharged.
TAPE
ONE, SIDE TWO
Did not receive mail while at Hereford, but could send letters.
Picked up English during the course of his stay.
Is a reader and frequently read in his spare time, both at Hereford and
San Pedro. Did not practice
medicine at Hereford because no officers became sick.
Shipped from U.S. to Naples by boat, was discharged and paid on arrival
there. Did not accumulate any pay from working in the U.S.
[Presumably only his regular salary from Italian government.]
Tried to practice medicine in Italy after war, but could not make a
living. Refers to Roosevelt “letting the communists” into Italy.
Decided after a year or so to immigrate to the U.S.
First worked at Bank of America in California for a friend while getting
his medical license. Soon moved to
New Mexico, where doctors were desperately needed.
First was in Albuquerque, then moved to Clovis.
Took exams in order to get his state medical license. Practiced there until retirement in 1988.
Views war as a very cruel thing. Discussion
of how de Maio was drafted for service as a doctor in Korean War, but service in
Italian Service Unit counted as time served in U.S. Army.
Met his wife as a secretary at the doctor’s office.
Left Hereford for service unit in San Pedro in late 1943. de Maio does not know what happened to highest ranking
officers from Hereford when the Italian Service Units were formed.
There were officers up to a general at Hereford.
Injured back after plane he was on was shot down [in Africa] and he
parachuted.
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