Located on the front of Caserma Fin. V. Di Rossi (Guardia di Finanza) building about 8 feet off the ground.

A brass plaque.

The 488^th Port Battalion participated in the Anzio Landings, “Operation Shingle” in 1944.  An extract from the 488^th Association Website:

The 488th Port Battalion was activated December 12, 1942 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania.  It consisted of Headquarters Company and four companies – A, B, C, and D.  These were later changed to the 188th, 189th, 190th and 191st Port Companies.  The original Battalion Commander was Major Wesley White who was replaced by Major William Clemente.  Officer personnel came from various training facilities, and enlisted personnel were sought who had any experience in crane operating, stevedoring, longshoring, operating tugs and barges, and any civilian occupation related to port operations. 

When arriving in Italy, the 488th carried 19 officers, 2 warrant officers, and 892 enlisted men. Records set in unloading in three months at Naples qualified the 488th for the assignment for the Anzio landing. Three heavily loaded cargo ships made the initial landing at Anzio – the “SS John Banvard,” the “SS Brete Harte,” and the “SS Hilary Herbert.”

On January 20, 1944 at 1300 hours, each company boarded a ship that was loaded in preparation for the invasion of Anzio, Italy.  All ships departed Naples the following day at Anzio at 0900 hours on January 22.  Moving from ship to ship, the 488th, when not on shore unloading landing crafts (LCI’s and LST’s) moved to newly arriving ships with cargo to be unloaded onto amphibious trucks (DUK’s) and barges.  Enemy aircraft returned hour after hour, day after day, and night after night attempting to disrupt the unloading operations of the 488^th. It was like this for 42 straight days.  The 488th was also under fire from a 280mm German railroad gun called “Anzio Annie.” 

Decorations and recognition came from many sources, not the least of which was an understanding story written by popular reporter Ernie Pyle (The April 24, 1944 article: Let's Get Outta Here!  That's the Object When Unloading at Anzio" ).  The Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Service Award and recognized as having the highest record tonnage handled in the port of Naples.

Seven soldiers of the 488^th Port Battalion are buried or remembered at the nearby Sicily-Rome American Cemetery (in Nettuno):

The text is in English and reads:  

488^TH PORT BATTALION

DEDICATED TO THE OFFICERS & ENLISTED MEN

OF THE BATTALION THAT LANDED

HERE JANUARY 21, 1944

488^TH ASSOCIATION

DEDICATION JUNE 1989

SIDNEY D. BUTTERFIELD                                                    

CHAIRMEN        

DAVID A. BRIDGMAN

DESIGNER