Gino Bernacchia

Gino Bernacchia (November 19, 1918- ) is a former TSGT in the US Army Air Corps/USAF from 1937 through 1962. He is also noted as being the only Pacific Theatre of War baseball pitcher who was undefeated in the China-Burma-India Service Leagues through the early and mid forties, including major league professional pitchers who served in WWII. He was stationed in Burma and India, and later in England and Morocco. The Boston Braves and the Cincinnati Redlegs attempted to sign the 5'9" lefty in the late thirties, only to see him have to leave for World War II. According to many former players and foes alike, his drop pitch was considered lethal to both right and lefthanded batters. Playing against the likes of Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, Billy Southworth, Jr, and later after the war Willie Mays, Bernacchia held his own with the greats in the Major Leagues, but never went back to being a civilian, as he was sent to different venues for the USAF. References to Mr Bernacchia can be seen in the Taunton Daily Gazette, the Air Force Times, and various sports magazines from the 1940s and 50s. Numerous references can be made in the Taunton Gazette from 1937 through 1941, as Mr Bernacchia pitched for the Italian-American Club before serving in the service.

In later life, he took up 10 pin and duckpin bowling, and after retiring from the USAF, became a Federal Protection Officer in Washington DC. He won numerous league titles in both 10 and duckpin through 1997, when he retired from bowling. His son, Gerard Bernacchia Sr, (Bo Bernacchia) pitched for the University of Maryland in 1970 only, in the fall college baseball league, and was unscored upon during the fall season. It was said that Gino taught Gerard the slider pitch, which made him literally unhittable at the time. His last known address was in Maryland in 2005.

Mr Bernacchia now resides in Prince Frederick, Md with his daughter, Mary Mohn.