The Real-Life Story of an Army Soldier Turned American Icon

[G3SG1]

When visiting the Andrew Smith Gallery in downtown Santa Fe last summer, the sound of live Dixieland jazz lured me across the street inside "Evangelo's," where I came face- to-face with dozens of photographs of a man I felt I knew - the man featured in the famous W. Eugene Smith photograph, the face of World War II. Younger readers will know it too, as this man's image had been featured within the famous Masters of American Photography stamp set that was published by the United States Postal Service in 2002.
This is the story of a young Greek stowaway who lived the American Dream. It is also the story of a spirited search for documentation of his military activities by scholars in the history of photography who, along with his family, discovered more about his life during World War II than Angelo Spiros Klonis had shared with his own family.




http://www.helleniccomserve.com/images/klonis1.jpg
W. Eugene Smith's iconic photo of Amy soldier
Angelo Klonis, cigarette clenched between his
lips, illustrates the cover of LIFE book, World War II


In 1936, at age 15, Angelo left his home in Kephallonia, Greece, as a "stowaway" on a boat bound for Los Angeles, California, in search of a better life. He worked his way from Los Angeles through the western half of the country, finally to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1938, where he found a small European-style town with a Hispanic culture, a Greek community and a temperate climate, all of which appealed to him. He happily put down roots.

On December 7th, 1941, life in America was forever changed. Angelo was in the town plaza, a gathering place for the community, when he learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Fiercely loyal to his adopted homeland, Angelo tried to join the Marines the next day but was rejected as he was not a U.S. citizen. Angelo fervently wanted to help in some way at this crucial time and he next tried to join the Army. The recruitment officials said they would accept him into service, regardless of his lack of citizenship, on the condition that he pass the physical. which he breezed through.

Angelo Klonis officially entered U. S. military service on August 1O, 1942, and was honorably discharged in 1945. Angelo rarely discussed his wartime experiences with his family, which was not uncommon for men of his generation. The children learned that their father went to boot camp in Ft. Bliss, Texas, and at this time was informed that the Germans had killed his family in Greece, which perhaps intensified his desire to serve and excel as a soldier.

Angelo revealed little of his wartime activities until later in life, and even then only a few more tales were shared, including mention of a photographer from LIFE magazine who had taken his picture along the way.

After the war was over, assuming that his family in Greece had all died during the war, Angelo returned to his home in Santa Fe where he worked with Greek friends in the bar/restaurant business. In 1946, a letter to Angelo arrived at the Mayflower Cafi and Bar. It was from his mother, in her handwriting; she had heard nothing from him in nine years, and if he had survived the war, she asked, please return to Greece to see his family. Angelo cried upon learning his family had survived the war, contrary to what he had been told. He began corresponding with his family and in 1950 traveled to Greece to visit them.


It was on this trip that he met Angeliki ("Kiki"), his bride-to-be; within a month they were married. The newlyweds traveled to Santa Fe, arriving in August 1951 to work in the restaurant in which Angelo had retained part-ownership. Their family grew during these years, with three sons born in Santa Fe: Evangelo, in 1952, Nicalaos ("Nick") in 1954 and Demosthenes ("Demo") in 1955. When they lost the lease on their business in 1958, the Klonis' decided to move back to Greece and raise their children among family.
It was during this time in Greece that a small bit of Angelo's war experiences began to surface. Angelo was able to acquire the vacant lot next to the Klonis family home, and set about building a home for his own young family. Curiously, he built a house made primarily out of bamboo, unique for this region of the world. The house featured many


http://www.helleniccomserve.com/images/klonis2.jpg
Stamps that was issued by the United States
Post Office, featuring Angelo Klonis

handcrafted elements as strong design details throughout. Everyone was obviously curious as to why he chose to build a house with Polynesian elements, but Angelo never revealed why nor how he was become inspired to do so.
full story here:

http://www.helleniccomserve.com/angeloklonis.html


http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0510/swanson.html

[Brasi]

Excellent read. I always enjoy knowing the history of the people in pics like this.

[LineDoggie]

The Stamp was more a celebration of W. Eugen Smiths work than Kounis . By the way Funnily Enough Life Magazine identifies the Marine as T.F. Underwood
http://www.life.com/search/?q0=t.+e.+underwood

[Pandemonium]

I have the first picture hanging on my wall, now I know the story thank you

[G3SG1]

The Stamp was more a celebration of W. Eugen Smiths work than Kounis . By the way Funnily Enough Life Magazine identifies the Marine as T.F. Underwood
http://www.life.com/search/?q0=t.+e.+underwood


there is also a picture with three US soldiers and Underwood is the blond one.

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0510/swanson.html



Three WWII soldiers sitting on a cot (L to R), "The Italian," John Ray Underwood and Angelo S. Klonis, take a respite from the war.

[LineDoggie]

there is also a picture with three US soldiers and Underwood is the blond one.

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0510/swanson.htmlArgue with LIFE Magazine.


http://www.life.com/service/contact

[G3SG1]

Argue with LIFE Magazine.
.

http://www.life.com/service/contact

better you contact them to ask if at the time US soldiers at the time were getting a hair color from blond to black during heavy fighting:lol:

[Maj C]

i'm curious, because i was always under the impression that the US Army did not use the cloth camouflage helmet cover, even in the PTO. is that incorrect?

[Laconian]

i'm curious, because i was always under the impression that the US Army did not use the cloth camouflage helmet cover, even in the PTO. is that incorrect?

Never seen COMBAT!?

[kutter]

i'm curious, because i was always under the impression that the US Army did not use the cloth camouflage helmet cover, even in the PTO. is that incorrect?

In the Pacific camo uniforms were a lot more common probably because they didn't have to worry about the whole "mistaking our guys for camouflaged Germans" problem that troops in Europe had to worry about.

[Maj C]

Never seen COMBAT!?

No but I've seen a little on TV.

Vic Morrow is the exception - iirc a fan page has several explanations for it.

[Ordie]

In 1936, at age 15, Angelo left his home in Kephallonia, Greece, as a "stowaway" on a boat bound for Los Angeles, California,

Came into the US as an undocumented immigrant?

Just sayin........

[James]

Came into the US as an undocumented immigrant?

Just sayin........

A stowaway is just one who has no ticket. Regardless, Klonis died in 1989, so you probably don't need to contact ICE.

[BLUE THOR]

Came into the US as an undocumented immigrant?

Just sayin........

Fought for your country didnt he?

just sayin...... he was prepared and willing to die for the US, I'm sure ticks more boxes as a citizen than your average illegal.

[Maj C]

The more I read the entire story the more I think this is a family's wishful thinking. I find it highly unlikely that he was at Omaha Beach and then transferred to the invasion of Saipan. The army units that participated are totally different and came from different regions of the country.

The military was not segregated back then for "swarthy" individuals like Greeks, Italians, etc. Only for Japanese Americans and Blacks so the explanation that Underwood is an unlikely name for the person photographed seems odd.

Also, out of the millions that served - a photograph of a dirty bearded young man could appear to be a relative for someone who wants it to. I have always seen this picture captioned as a Marine - not a soldier. The helmet cover is a giveaway as that was a distinguishing feature of Marines up to the Korean War.

Also, using the excuse about the fire at Kansas City, the "secret" "Ranger" missions etc. are all red flags.

just saying...

[James]

The more I read the entire story the more I think this is a family's wishful thinking. I find it highly unlikely that he was at Omaha Beach and then transferred to the invasion of Saipan. The army units that participated are totally different and came from different regions of the country.

The military was not segregated back then for "swarthy" individuals like Greeks, Italians, etc. Only for Japanese Americans and Blacks so the explanation that Underwood is an unlikely name for the person photographed seems odd.

Also, out of the millions that served - a photograph of a dirty bearded young man could appear to be a relative for someone who wants it to. I have always seen this picture captioned as a Marine - not a soldier. The helmet cover is a giveaway as that was a distinguishing feature of Marines up to the Korean War.

Also, using the excuse about the fire at Kansas City, the "secret" "Ranger" missions etc. are all red flags.

just saying...

Yeah, I'm starting to agree with you. For starters, D-Day in Normandy and D-Day in Saipan were only a week or so apart...

[JCR]

Could also be that he always wanted to have served in Europe (Germans killed his greek relatives etc) but was sent to the pacific instead, so he hid that fact, and told his family he was in Europe with the army while he really served as a marine on Saipan.

What surprises me is that both the USMC and the Army should have service records to check this.

[Maj C]

Could also be that he always wanted to have served in Europe (Germans killed his greek relatives etc) but was sent to the pacific instead, so he hid that fact, and told his family he was in Europe with the army while he really served as a marine on Saipan.

What surprises me is that both the USMC and the Army should have service records to check this.

It was quite simple to find his enlistment info and army serial number. National archives.

http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=7&cat=WR26&tf=F&sc=24994,24995,24996,24998,24997,24993,24981,24983&bc=,sl,fd&txt_24995=Klonis&op_24995=0&nfo_24995=V,24,1900&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=7169590&rlst=1925734,2511312,2621774,3584122,3708441,4090851,7169590

There was a disastrous fire that destroyed millions of records but you can still find some info. Not interested in debunking it because I don't think theyre hurting anybody but I still think they're wrong. David Douglas Duncan took a famous pic of a Marine at Chosin and he commented people always ask or think it's their son, brother, father, etc.

[Maj C]

Yeah, I'm starting to agree with you. For starters, D-Day in Normandy and D-Day in Saipan were only a week or so apart...


The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June 1944 to 9 July 1944. The invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was launched.

oh well, it was a nice story anyway and if it makes his kids happy fine. we know he served and probably did a fine job. we owe him thanks enough for that...

[Marshall_Nord]

Came into the US as an undocumented immigrant?

Just sayin........

You had to go there didn't you!

Please, don't try to compare this gent with the border-crossers today. I'm sure he quickley learned English and his offspring learned English and be came AMERICANS.

I'm also sure there weren't Greek special interest groups demanding Greek language manuals, translators, etc.

The force of necessity made people like him become English-speaking Americans to the benefit of us all.

[LineDoggie]

Story's feelgood Bull****

Klonis is Army by his Serial Number, Draftee at that, not Enlistee not US Marine. If he had enlisted his serial Number would start with a 1, National Guard with a 2, Officer with a O


Army did NOT wear HBT Helmet covers on Saipan. The 27th used camouflage painted helmets. There were no secret squirrel Army units involved like Oh So Social). There is 1 picture of the 6th Ranger Bn wearing the covers on Leyte in a camp formation picture of the Officers. And the wearing of the covers back flaps outside the helmet shell is Classic Marine PTO for Tarawa, Pelelieu etc. due to the heat on the Atolls

and no goddamned way could he have been at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 and at Saipan on 15 June 1944 9 days later.

This is a Myth like Charles Durning being on Omaha Beach in the first waves and surviving the Malmedy Massacre , total Bull****

I'll post some pics of Dogfaces on Saipan later.

[LineDoggie]

As Promised, Pictures of 27th Division Soldiers on Saipan


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/69nafpt.gif

Nafutan Point

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/767px-Army_reinforcements_disembarking_from_LSTs.jpg
Dogfaces come ashore, note camo PAINTED helmets

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/Page_1477_.jpg

Again note lack of cloth Helmet covers



In Talking with 69th Infantry regiment Veterans of Saipan, Makin & Okinawa none remembered Marine helmet covers being worn by Division personnel.


Real simple answer is what unit of the 27th did Klonis belong to?

165th Infantry Rgt.
107th Infantry Rgt.
105th Infantry Rgt.

104th Field Artillery
105th Field Artillery
106th Field Artillery
249th Field Artillery

27th Signal co.
727th Ordnance co.
27th Quartermaster co.
27th Recon troop
102nd Engineers
102nd Medical Bn
Div HQ


If he wasnt in one of these units he wasn't on Saipan in the Army during the Battle, period, end of.

we alrwady know he lied about Normandy

[G3SG1]

Guys although any opinion is welcomed you should read more carefully the provided links:



Nick telephoned Mrs. Underwood on April 1st to tell her of his discovery and asked if she knew anything about her husband's military experience and whereabouts during WWII. She said her husband spent most of his time in Europe, but served in some special missions in the Pacific, especially in Saipan where he was almost killed. As Underwood told the story, if he had to run 20 more yards he would have died were it not for his "Greek buddy" who saved his life. She shared that her husband had longed to see his friend again. He thought Angelo was from New Mexico, but did not know where and couldn't remember his last name. In 1978, she and her husband traveled west from Florida to New Mexico, getting as far as Albuquerque on their quest, but alas they did not find his wartime companion. Throughout his lifetime, Underwood embraced all things Greek - food, music - and fondly remembering his wartime friend. After listening to her passionate story, Nick replied, "Mrs. Underwood, I am calling you from New Mexico and I'm Greek!" The connection was made.


Nick said he needed more time to look through his father's memorabilia in hopes of finding more photographs of her husband, calling her back with the news that "I think I have at least five photographs of your husband taken with my father!" Nick sent a selection to her to confirm, and she telephoned him right away to say, "Nick, the man with your father IS my husband!"




Her husband was not "T. E. Underwood" however; she said her husband often talked about how he would change his first initials because he hated to say his name was J. R., as he was teasingly called "Junior." Nick thought about this comment and replied that his dad said his Army buddies used to call him "Crazy Greek," which translated as "TRELOS ELLINAS" - "T. E." for short, and going forward T.E. was used as his nickname. Hence, we have T. E. Underwood noted in the Smith film records - a mixture of the two friend's names. (Mrs. Underwood told him that her husband had emphasized that on special missions they were instructed never to give their real names, hence the initials.)




Nick asked Mrs. Underwood if her husband talked to their family about his war years, explaining that his own father hadn't shared much and never discussed serving in the Pacific Theater. She graciously agreed to be interviewed for an affidavit and confirmed that she had learned from her husband that he and Angelo Klonis were on 13 secret missions together during their wartime service, including Saipan.

[G3SG1]

But i have a lot of other homework for Linedoggie . Those people claim that they were OSS and they are all Greek-Americans. Outrageous.:)



Greek / American Operational Group Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
Memoirs of World War 2

by Andrew S. Mousalimas

http://www.pahh.com/oss/pt1/p1.html

[LineDoggie]

There was No OSS Team on Saipan, Klonis is a Liar. The Orbat is well known

[G3SG1]

There was No OSS Team on Saipan, Klonis is a Liar. The Orbat is well known

Seppuku, anyone?

[LineDoggie]

Its real simple

Klonis was a Soldier, Not Marine, National Archives bear out that he was in fact a Draftee, not enlistee, his Serial Number 38166479 verifies that he did NOT Enlist.

Klonis claimed to have been at Omaha beach 6 June 1944 and 9 days later in Saipan 15 June 1944.

The Picture shows USMC Helmet covers worn in the typical manner of Marines with the back flaps hanging out like a havelock to protect the neck

the 27th Division did NOT use Helmet Covers, the division Pattern painted the M1 Helmet shells prior to emabrking for Saipan. I have posted example images of Soldiers from the 27th on Saipan, I have talked to 27th WWII veterans and no one remembers any Soldier wearing helmet covers on Saipan, Guam, Eneiwetok, Kawjalein, or Okinawa

The Army component of the Saipan invasion was the 27th Infantry Division

Life Magazine indentifies the Marine as TF Underwood



Now seeing as we've already determined Klonis to have lied about where he served, and when, Occams Razor would put paid his claims. Are you now claiming Klonis was in the OSS?

Your only upset because Klonis is greek, well greeks can lie like any other nationality, American, Irish, German, Belgian, etc..

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Another good discussion: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t26253.html

General consensus is that the guy in the picture looks dirty, not dark-skinned. Troops in the jungle for extended periods learn not to shave because it is too easy to get an infection if you nick your face.

Also consensus is that Klonis' story (which is awesome enough without embellishment) is likely inaccurate with regards to his service in the Pacific.

The Marine in the picture remains unidentified.

[LineDoggie]

OSS tried but failed to gain significant access to the island-fighting war in the Pacific. General Douglas MacArthur, commander in the Southwestern Pacific, would have nothing to do with the OSS. He sneered at Donovan’s offers of assistance, insisting on exclusive control of all forces under his command and holding Donovan’s collection of amateurs in disdain.
Whether MacArthur’s 1942 decision was made for practical or personal reasons, or both, it effectively excluded the OSS for most of the war. 3 Donovanwas not even able to outflank MacArthur, at least initially.


In April 1943, the OSS chief sent an agent to try to convince Vice-Admiral William F. (“Bull”) Halsey, whose naval forces assisted MacArthur, to allow OSS into the Southwest Pacific Area. But Halsey



was not persuaded and finally told the man to “Get the hell out of here!”4






SOURCES:

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/oss/chap9.pdf

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/70-42/70-424.html (http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/70-42/70-424.html)

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/oss/art09.htm (https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/oss/art09.htm)






Again before the next attempt is Klonis was a secret Squirrel with OSS on Saipan, NO OSS were on Saipan, period, end of.

[G3SG1]

NO OSS were on Saipan, period, end of.[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/LEFT]

[/FONT]


none said they they were. Mercy!!!!!!!rofl

[LineDoggie]

none said they they were. Mercy!!!!!!!roflJust keeping you honest before the next claims. Klonis is a lot like Charles Durning, both served, but both have made up stories of derring do that the archives dont bear out. At one time Durning was claiming to be in the first wave at Normandy, Bayonetted there, and survived the Malmedy Massacre in the Ardennes. That claim is largely gone now as people realized no unit from Omaha & Utah beach, Pointe du Hoc, was at Malmedy (Baugnez Crossroads actually). The Story was a Nice feelgood, but the facts didnt bear it out.