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KINGSTON — When Preston Attenello joined the Navy in 1940, the United States was not yet involved in World War II.

After training, his unit made its way across the globe on the Battleship New Mexico. Attenello said there were rumblings about the Japanese and the possibility of the U.S. entering the war, which it had resisted up to that point.

A year later, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the country entered that war.

“I came from simple beginnings,” said Attenello, of East Vaughn Street. “When we set out for Hawaii, I couldn’t believe I was going there. I couldn’t foresee all that would happen.”

As Attenello, 95, reflected on that period of history at his dining room table on a recent afternoon, it was neither with the stoicism of a soldier or with the detail of a historian, but with the heartfelt emotion of a family man who said the opportunity to serve in the military, despite its challenges, changed his life for the better.

Attenello lost his mother when he was just 7 years old. With his father unable to care for him and his siblings, he was sent to an orphanage until he was 14.

When he returned to his father’s small apartment in Passaic, New Jersey, there often wasn’t enough to eat and the apartment was infested with roaches.

Athough Attenello did want to better his life and better the life of other family members, he didn’t become bitter. Instead, he speaks of his desire to help his father.

“My dad never said anything negative about his childhood,” said Attenello’s daughter, Janet MacLean. “He just has lived his life with a great deal of gratitude.”

The two talked about a small rubber pool Attenello set up for his children every year.

When he walked in the front door after a long day’s work, often whistling, the children would be waiting for him to set up the pool, which had small wooden seats in the corner.

And he did, every year, with no complaint.

It was with that same spirit Attenello completed his military service.

Attenello remembers manning his station below deck on the Astoria in August 1942 during the Battle of Savo Island, realizing the ship was under heavy attack by the Japanese.

After making his way on deck after the battle, what he saw still haunts him — bodies of soldiers, many his friends, were strewn all over the deck.

Those in charge were surprised to see him and others who had survived.

Then came the directive, “All hands abandon ship.”

The Bagley came alongside the Astoria to rescue survivors. Attenello remembers making his way to the ship, climbing over its side.

The duty of the soldiers who had escaped the battle somewhat unscathed was to tend to the suffering.

“We were under the direction of the medical personnel,” he said. “They would tell us, ‘That person needs a drink.’”

Even at that moment, Attenello said he was aware he was still fulfilling his duty.

“I was serving my country,” he said. “That is what I promised to do.”

He remembers when the soldiers who had been transferred to the Wharton on the way back to Pearl Harbor finally had an opportunity to mourn the loss of those who had been killed.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” he said.

Although Attenello recalls the events of more than 60 years ago with ease, when questioning a specific memory or when wanting to add detail to his recall, he refers to his journal, which he kept, in spite of the fact they were forbidden.

“I could have gotten in trouble if they realized that I had kept a diary,” he said. “But, I knew that I was living history and I wanted to remember it.”

Attenello, who said he was involved in seven major battles, has carefully kept six medals he earned in a special case.

On the wall is a set of “undress blues,” which has nestled in the middle of it a photo of Attenello’s wife, Rose, dressed playfully in his uniform all those years ago.

Having been married to Rose, now 92, now for about 72 years, Attenello remembers her affection for family and, especially, her great skills as a cook.

Now, the two live quietly amidst family and extended family, with Sunday dinners and happy gatherings.

Still, Attenello said his mind often returns to the sea, especially at night.

Attenello’s ship went down during the Battle of Gaudalcanal and he lost everything he had on board.

“So many ships went down there, they called it the ‘Iron Bottom,’” he said. “I lost my locker containing my wallet and a photo of my wife, Rose,” he said. “At night, before I go to sleep, I wonder what that locker looks like after all these years.”

At 95, Attenello is still eager to try new things.

Although he has many memories of U.S. planes during the war, he had never flown on a plane.

All that changed a few weeks ago when he traveled to Georgia to attend his granddaughter’s wedding.

At the end of his flight, the pilot announced that on board was a World War II veteran flying for the first time.

Everyone on the flight stood up and cheered.

Attenello then had an opportunity to visit with the pilot in the cockpit.

He remembers being on the Providence in 1945 when it was announced the war was over.

He want on to serve another year in formal service to his country.

And, yet, as his daughter said, his entire life has been one of love, family and service.

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<div class="neCaption">Preston Attenello, 95, of Kingston, a WWII veteran shares his story of military service.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110216veteransDay1-4.jpgPreston Attenello, 95, of Kingston, a WWII veteran shares his story of military service. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader</div>
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<div class="neCaption">Preston Attenello, 95, of Kingston, a WWII veteran, shares stories of his military service.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110216veteransDay2-4.jpgPreston Attenello, 95, of Kingston, a WWII veteran, shares stories of his military service. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110216veteransDay3-4.jpgPreston Attenello reads from a journal he kept while in the Navy. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL110216veteransDay5-4.jpgPreston Attenello is reflected in a photograph of him and his wife. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Veterans-3CMYK.jpgAimee Dilger | Times Leader</div>
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By Geri Gibbons

ggibbons@www.timesleader.com

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Life of Kingston man, a WWII Navy vet, has been one of love, family and service