Stoneham native reflects on a lifetime of adventures
Published on December 26th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA- Bubbling over from the pages of “Boiling Mad” by Samuel Lembo (245 pages, 1rst Books Library) readers will encounter not the cruel fire of blind fury but the passionate heat of a man tortured by injustice.
The book is an autobiography, a history lesson and a theoretical treatise on geopolitics by Lembo, a World War II veteran, SHS grad and first time author at age 78.
Lembo’s Sicilian immigrant parents settled in “the country town of Stoneham” soon after Lembo’s birth in Boston on July 9, 1923. He has lived for the past 23 years in Arizona but hopes to return to the Northeast to continue his ever vibrant life.
Lembo, who graduated from Stoneham High in 1942, was the second of four brothers. The boys grew up on Beacon Street. The oldest boy, Salvatore, was killed in World War II during the Battle of the Gustave Line near Cassino, Italy; this tragedy was the central motivation behind “Boiling Mad.”
“I had this book in my head since 1944,” Lembo said.
As a member of Army Intelligence in the Italian campaign, Lembo learned about the slaughter of American soldiers attempting to break through the Liri Valley of central Italy to capture Rome from the Axis Powers. The troops of the 36th Infantry Division were led by U.S. General Mark Clark, an egotist who ironically documented his own incompetence by hiring American filmmaker John Huston to shoot the Americans triumphant march into Rome. The Allies would eventually take Rome, but not before suffering severe casualties and relying on numerous reinforcements. During a 24 hour period in San Pietro, 2,100 American soldiers were killed. (In comparison, 6,000 U.S. soldiers were killed in the D-Day invasion).
Lembo argues that Clark received his post due to political connections to Eisenhower.
“The first rule of military strategy is to secure the high ground,” Lembo said.
After failing to secure the high ground on either flank, Clark sent his men through the valley.
“I saw footage from Huston of people being blown to bits,” Lembo said.
The 85th Infantry Division reinforced Clark’s dwindling forces and continued the push toward Rome. Clark ordered these men to cross the Rapido River, again without securing flank positions. Again, many died, including Salvatore Lembo, a few weeks from his 23rd birthday.
As the war winded down Sam Lembo spent much of his time guarding and speaking with captured German officers. He says he learned a lot about military strategy from these prisoners of war. The more he learned, the more convinced he was that Clark could have captured Rome earlier with countless fewer casualties if he had cooperated with the British instead of going for personal glory.
Lembo’s wartime experiences molded a complex but determined individual.
“We don’t always know everything our government is doing,” Lembo said.
In his book he questions Clark’s and thus Eisenhower’s leadership. He also accuses J. Edgar Hoover and President Lyndon Johnson of corruption and cover-ups.
But Lembo also argues for a Congressional amendment to ban flag burning.
“Its not free speech. If I don’t like you, so I burn your house down, that’s not free speech,” Lembo said.
Lembo writes that the flag is a monument to those people who gave their lives defending America, and he likens flag burning to burning a building housing the bodies of soldiers.
Also, Lembo includes a section in his book championing racial equality. He thanks his late parents for not instilling him with the bigotry that has held so many people back. In his book, Lembo remembers his father bringing his car to an African American mechanic, Mr. Lewis, on Stevens Street.
“My family befriended all people... I am glad I was not indoctrinated with hate,” Lembo writes.
Even though Lembo strikes chords in a cacophony of subjects, his military analysis provides a steady beat marching from cover to cover. Wild stories of Lembo’s days in the music industry seem to stray off subject, but the tales are fantastic improvisations that wind their way back to the main melody of politics, power, truth and justice. He re-examines the Vietnam and Korean Wars and predicts the war with Moslem fundamentalists and the tension over missile defense.
In a separate interview, Lembo was moved to tears as he predicted the success of America’s War on Terrorism and called the victims of Sept. 11 “the heroes who died so we could be set free from terrorism.”
Lembo often calls the White House comment line in Washington D.C. to give the President his two cents. He claims he was one of the voices urging the use of propaganda flyers and daisy cutter bombs. Although it’s impossible to tell if Washington is listening to Lembo, Lembo is convinced that he has the President’s ear. To prove his point he points to letters he wrote and an argument laid out in “Boiling Mad” urging the President to rename the Department of Justice building after Robert Kennedy. Earlier this year, the change was made.
Lembo is convinced that he can make a difference. So he thinks incessantly, and he acts through his phone calls and writing. He may or may not be changing the world, but he sure as hell is giving it a try. His book is a bit scattered at times, in the writing style and subjects addressed, but this can be forgiven for two reasons: the stories are great and the passion behind the writing is incendiary.
The book is dedicated to the memory of Anne Lembo, Sam’s wife of 52 years who died in June of 2000.
Go to www.1rstbooks.com to find out where and how to get Lembo’s book. Or write to the author at 2417 E. Emerald Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204-4608. For $15, Lembo will send anyone interested a copy of his book.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!