Colonel Joseph Frank "Joe" Sartiano OSS/CIA, Ret.

1913 - 2017

SARTIANO JOSEPH F. SARTIANO OSS/CIA Officer Passes at 103 Colonel Joseph "Joe" Frank Sartiano, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 103, surrounded by family on 9 February, 2017 in Sebastopol, California. Joe was born to Italian immigrant parents, Carmella and Francesco Sartiano in Bakerton, Pennsylvania on October 25, 1913. After many voyages between Sicily and the United States, the Sartiano family settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania where Joe grew up in a loving family along with his eight siblings. Joe's love for this Nation and the opportunities it offered, inspired the success he achieved as a man and patriot all the days of his life. Joe's early years in Johnstown reflected his life-long love of music where he taught youngsters at his accordion school and led his band, The Silver Strings. At the onset of World War II, Joe enlisted in the United States Army where based upon his demonstrated leadership and intellect, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon successful completion of OCS, 2nd Lieutenant Joseph F. Sartiano was recruited to join a new, highly secretive organization, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) where he would be called upon to operate behind enemy lines orchestrating and carrying out partisan activities, rescuing downed Allied pilots and leading both American and British units on intelligence gathering patrols in Italy. Joe was credited with action in Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, Ravenna and the Upper Po Valley. For his actions, Joe was awarded the United States Silver Star and from the United Kingdom, The British Military Cross, both for gallantry in action. In addition, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. At the end of hostilities in Europe, Joe volunteered for service in Japan and while en route, World War II officially ended. Based upon his OSS experience in Italy, Joe was recruited to join the team of American military officers investigating Japanese war crimes and he spent the next five years living in Japan conducting interviews and investigations that led to the prosecution of war crime offenders. In early 1950, after returning to the United States, Joe was asked to become a member of the recently established Central Intelligence Agency which sought former OSS officers to join its ranks. It was while stationed in Washington DC, that Joe met his wife, Alba T. Pagnini, who also worked for the CIA as Case Officer. They married on 16 April, 1955 and together, Alba and Joe embarked on a life filled with adventure, patriotism and passion. Tokyo was their first tour of duty followed by Honolulu, Taipei, Washington DC, Rome, Saigon and West Berlin. As a result of his work in Saigon for the CIA, Joe was awarded the South Vietnamese National Police Medal of Honor and recently, the Congressional Gold Medal for his participation in the OSS. In 1973 Joe retired from the CIA and continued to support Alba's CIA career both in Washington DC and San Francisco until her retirement in 1991. Joe's service to this nation spanned over 30 years and his innate character, charismatic leadership, intellect, mentorship and professionalism inspired those around him to execute missions often under the most difficult of circumstances and extremely challenging conditions. Colonel Sartiano is survived by his loving children, Rina S. Gibbons (John) of Sebastopol, California and Joseph F. Sartiano (Kim) of Great Falls, Virginia. He was the adored "Popop" of Marina Bogle, Lara Gibbons, Johno Gibbons, Joleigh Nolen, John Brigham and five great grandchildren. Joe also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and friends throughout the United States. Those who had the honor of meeting him were forever touched and changed for the better. Colonel Joseph F. Sartiano and Alba T. Sartiano will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on June 28, 2017 at 9 a.m. There will be a memorial service for Joe on 27 June, 2017 at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington DC at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation or Ranchin' Vets Foundation in his honor would be greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation or Ranchin' Vets Foundation in his honor would be greatly appreciated.