Touchdown at Tibenham

A strong and determined man of northern Italian immigrants, Mel would take on the challenges of his youth by mining coal at 16 and playing football when football was a fierce and rough game. The toughness that these two activities created in him prepared Mel for a tour of duty in World War II as a B-24 Gunner serving with the 445th Bomb Group out of Tibenham, Norfolk, England. He would complete 35 successful missions but lose many of his friends in the Kassel Mission. Mel would return home to play professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers and lead a life of hard work with many friendships. Come walk through Melvin's life in Touchdown at Tibenham...a journey of triumph and tragedy.