Born on February 20, 1919, in Bari, Italy, Joseph Pietroforte has lived through a century of history and a world war. Today, at 107, he still dances every Thursday. A documentary now preserves his story, and that of his brothers, so their legacy will never be forgotten.
Some men demonstrate courage without ever seeking recognition. Men guided by principles and values who never ask for applause. Joseph Pietroforte, known to everyone as “Bazooka Joe,” is one of them.
A World War II veteran and the eldest of eight children, Joe is among the last living witnesses to a conflict that changed the world. To ensure his memory endures, one filmmaker decided to stand beside him and capture his extraordinary story.
Eight Children, One Family’s Destiny
Joe was born in Bari, Italy, into a family with every reason to hope for a happy future. His parents, Francisco and Francesca Pietroforte, brought the family to the United States, where they settled in Philadelphia.
Together, they raised eight children: seven boys and one girl. Joe was the eldest. Eight siblings, a war, and a shared destiny.
| Name | Legacy |
|---|---|
| Joseph “Joe” | 107, the eldest |
| Alfredo | 101 |
| Nicholas “Nick” | 97 |
| Michael | 86 |
| Constantino | Passed away at 98 |
| Angie | The only daughter, passed away at 98 |
| Jerry | Passed away at 97 |
| Louis | Killed in action at 29 |
Today, Francisco and Francesca are no longer alive. Four of their eight children have passed away, while four remain to carry the family’s memories forward.
Joe: The First Brother to Fight for the United States
When World War II engulfed the world between 1939 and 1945, millions of Americans answered the call to serve. In total, approximately 16.4 million Americans served during the conflict.
Joe was the first of his siblings to leave home and fight for his adopted country.
In 1944, he was drafted into the Army as a rifleman, even though he had not yet become a U.S. citizen. Initially assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, he was later transferred to the 5th Infantry Division, associated with General George Patton’s command.
During the Battle of the Bulge, Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front, Joe earned the nickname that would follow him throughout his life. Armed with a bazooka, he reportedly knocked out two enemy tanks and helped save members of his unit.
His bravery earned him the Silver Star, one of the United States military’s highest decorations for valor, as well as the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.
By 2026, the number of surviving American World War II veterans had dwindled to a tiny fraction of those who served. Joe is among the generation whose firsthand memories are becoming increasingly rare.
A Family’s Sacrifice
Joe was not the only member of his family to serve. Several of his brothers also chose to defend the United States and the freedoms it represented.
One of them, Louis Pietroforte, gave his life for the nation he served.
His brother Nicholas, too young to fight in 1944, was called to service in 1954 and sent to Korea after the fighting had ended. There, he served as a vocalist with the Eighth Army Chorus.
Behind these acts of service stood two parents, Francisco and Francesca. They watched their beloved sons leave home to serve their country, knowing the risks they faced. Their story is one of love, sacrifice, and courage, a story that deserves to be remembered alongside the service of their children.
An Encounter on the Streets of Los Angeles
In 2024, Joe Pietroforte crossed paths with Mason Ewing on the streets of Los Angeles. Their connection was immediate.
A producer, director, and screenwriter, Ewing decided to dedicate a documentary to this remarkable veteran, whose life and legacy deserved to be preserved. The film, The Pietroforte Family: War Memories, honors Joe, his family, and the memory of his brothers.
For Mason Ewing, the project carries a deeply personal meaning. Blind since the age of 14, he never had the opportunity to choose military service or become a soldier defending his country.
Yet he feels a profound connection to veterans. He thinks particularly of those who lost their sight or became disabled after the war. Through this film, he hopes to offer a message of encouragement: life does not end when disability enters it. Veterans must never be abandoned, and their service and sacrifices must never be forgotten.
A Film, a Team, and a Platform Dedicated to Veterans
The documentary was produced by Ewing Power Production (EPP), the production company of Mason Ewing Corporation (MEC), based in Los Angeles. It highlights the lives of Joe, Nick, and the entire Pietroforte family while honoring the legacy of their parents, Francisco and Francesca.
This is not simply a film about battles. Built around intimate testimonies, restored family archives, rare photographs, and footage from Los Angeles National Cemetery, it explores memory and the race against time to preserve firsthand accounts before the last members of this generation are gone.
The documentary features contributions from Eliza and Eric Roberts; H. Delano Roosevelt, grandson of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Dale Bell, a producer associated with the Oscar-winning documentary Woodstock; veteran James Gill; and chaplain Dov Cohen.
The French-language song “Souvenir de Guerre,” written by Mason Ewing, composed by Dany Brown, composer and artistic director, and performed by Elouan Moroz, was produced by HoloTech Records (HTR).
The song pays tribute to two close friends from wartime: Louis, who never returned home, and Michael, who carried his memory forward.
The film was welcomed by The Veterans Channel, a streaming platform dedicated to veterans. Its president, Henah Hannah, chose to distribute and stream the documentary. For the entire Ewing Power Production team, this was both an honor and a privilege.
Henah Hannah sent Mason Ewing a heartfelt message welcoming him into the family. For Ewing, the sentiment reflects a bond he already feels deeply: he considers himself part of the veterans’ family.
In June 2026, the film received recognition in Cannes, where Mason Ewing received the UBUNTU Award for his vision. Joe and Nick were also honored with medals recognizing them as ambassadors.
Joe, 107, Still Dances Every Thursday
Perhaps the most remarkable part of Joe’s story is this: at 107, he remains active and full of life. Every Thursday, he makes time to go dancing with a friend.
The soldier who served in 1944 has not lost his rhythm.
As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, Joe’s story reminds every generation of its responsibility to those who came before. Their sacrifices shaped the world we inhabit, and their memories deserve to live on.
History enthusiasts and anyone interested in World War II can watch The Pietroforte Family: War Memories on The Veterans Channel. The official teaser is also available on YouTube.
Because a memory that is never passed on eventually fades, this film makes a promise to Joe, Nick, and their siblings: their story will not be forgotten.
Acknowledgments
This film owes much to Hollywood actor Eric Roberts and his wife, Eliza Roberts, producer and casting director, as well as to the Pietroforte family, whose support helped make the project possible.