Col. Anthony Patrick Romano Ret.

Colonel Anthony Patrick Romano Airborne AUS Retired of Hurricane, WV died on September 25, 2017 at West Virginia Veterans Nursing Home, Clarksburg WV. The Colonel was the youngest son of the late Antonio R. Romano and Teresa Angotti Romano of Dola, Harrison County, WV. He was proceeded in death by his wife LaVerne Romano; daughters, Sarah Romano, Amy Romano, and Beth Romano; sisters, Rose Laconis, Kathyrn Aiello, Mary Ramella, Barbara Beto; and brothers, Joseph Romano, John Romano, Albert Romano, Salvatore Romano, Frank Romano. He is survived by his son and daughter in law Christopher and Sue Romano of Catlettsburg, KY and a sister Josephine Loretta of Bridgeport, WV. He graduated from Lumberport (Eagle District) High School in 1948 and was accepted to West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV where he was a Pre Law, Italian language and History major. Later to move to Hurricane where he graduated from Marshall University with a master in history. Romano was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of Integrity with immediate call to active federal service and orders to the infantry school, Fort Benning, GA for the Basic Officers Course. While at Benning he completed the basic Parachute School and Jump Master Course later to be assigned to the famed 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC to be Platoon Commander of Co F. 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment (82nd ABDN) in December 1952. The division was ordered to Camp Drum, NY for winter warfare training. On the way the division marched in the Inaugural Parade for General Eisenhower in 1953. In July of 1958 he was ordered to Korea and was assigned to the Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAC) on Cheju – do Island as a General Subject Division (ROK ARMY). After a successful time with KMAC, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment of the Second Infantry Division. He was later assigned to the 1X Corps NCO Academy, Chip’O Ri, Korea as instructor on several infantry subjects. The second infantry division was ordered back to the states and he was transferred to the Renowned 1st Calvary Division, Hokkaido, Japan. In 1956 he was released from active duty and immediately got active in the 100th Infantry Division in the 83rd Infantry Division, Army Reserve until 1963 when he joined Special Forces in Huntington, WV as “A” Team commander and eventually “C” Detachment Commander ABDN. The Colonel received a serious injury at Amboy Church, Preston County, WV. And was taken off “Jump Status”. At this time he was assigned to State Headquarter as Assistant Military Support Plans Officer and pulled two tours at Headquarter, Department of the Army – Directorate Civil Disturbance Plans and Operations, Pentagon, Washington D.C. Pat graduated from Infantry Officers Airborne, Field Grade Refresher and Mobilization Planning. Industrial College of the Armed Force and many more courses dealing with emergency management and National defense Responsible for the formation of the “Cardinals Parachute WVARG Team. Colonel Romano got permission from the Army to take members of the Special Forces Section to the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the members received their Canadian Jump Wing. The Canadians were then invited to visit WV at Camp Dawson, Kingwood, WV, to receive American Jump Wings. The WV SGT Major Pierce Leap Fest attracts international attention. He and other members of the Special Forces Co. assisted with the Marshall University Football Plane Crash incident, Kent State Tragedy and many other community activities. Colonel Pat was also a member of Masonic Huntington Lodge #152 AF & AM, a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner at Beni Kedem Lodge, Charleston, WV. He was also a Kentucky Colonel, and member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nitro. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00pm Saturday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane WV. The family suggest memorial donations be made in his name to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2219 22nd Street Nitro WV 25143.

Col. Anthony Patrick Romano Ret.

February 7, 1930 - September 25, 2017