Joseph Fineberg, 88, hero of WWII

WHEN ARMY Capt. Joseph N. Fineberg returned to Philly on a 21-day leave in May 1944, the 2500 block of North Corlies Street in Strawberry Mansion went wild.

American flags fluttered from the windows of every house; a huge banner across the front of his family home read, "Welcome Home," and neighbors poured into the street.

Joe was embarrassed by the attention as people who had known him as a boy clapped him on the back, and uniformed soldiers who had not yet tasted the sting of battle plied him for tips.

Joe was, after all, a bona fide war hero, receiving three battlefield commissions as an Army Ranger and the Bronze Star for valor, among other decorations.

He was with the legendary "Darby's Rangers" in the Italian campaign, after having served as a medic in Africa.

Life magazine ran a story about him in July 1944, and his exploits were written about in books. The 1958 film "Darby's Rangers," starring James Garner as Col. William Orlando Darby, included a character based on Joe played by Jack Warden.

He even had a song written about him after leading the rescue of a drowning lifeguard in Puerto Rico in 1964.

When he finally returned to Philly for good, he was assigned by the War Production Board to tour defense plants to tell the workers how much their labors meant to the troops in battle.

Joe Fineberg, who became a successful businessman in his home city after the war, running a series of army-navy surplus stores called "Captain Joe's," died Tuesday. He was 88 and lived in Bala Cynwyd.

In the 1960s, Joe started what he called the "Keeping Library" in his store at 2221 N. Broad St. for youngsters. They could take out a book and keep it.

He also gave books to prisoners at Graterford and would meet with them and give them pep talks about how they could change their lives. In return, they gave him handmade gifts, including a hand-carved wooden ship.

Joe was born in Philadelphia to Jacob and Rebecca Fineberg. He dropped out of Simon Gratz High School and joined the Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He went overseas in May 1942, as a private. He received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant during the African campaign.

In Italy, he volunteered for Darby's Rangers and was promoted to first lieutenant as the Rangers fought at Sorrento, landed at Anzio and worked their way up the peninsula toward Rome. He was later promoted to captain.

In his book "Rangers in World War II," Robert W. Black wrote, "Joe Fineberg was the supply officer for the 4th Ranger Battalion. Fineberg was a Ranger hustler. He got two sniper rifles for every company, Springfield 03s, with telescopes.

"He was an honest officer . . . ranging about with his Jeep named 'Matzoh Ball' and trailer. "

Joe thought it odd that German artillery attacks were often preceded by the ringing of church bells. He discovered that German troops had disguised themselves as monks, were occupying churches and using the bells to signal artillery attacks. They were quickly rooted out.

Back home, he married Perle "P.J." Herman, a model, and opened his first store at 10th and Arch streets. He later opened a store at 18th and Market, before moving to 2221 N. Broad.

The rescue in Puerto Rico was written up in the San Juan Star. Musician Karl Mann wrote a song about the incident, "Captain Joe and the Under Toe."

He had a winter home in Palm Beach, Fla., where he was active in charitable organizations.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Dr. Michael B. Fineberg; a daughter, Deborah C. Pollack, and a granddaughter, Marla J. Fineberg.

Services: Will be private. *