In Piazza del Mercato, formerly Piazza della Sgrillara and even before Piazza Giovanni Torretta, at number 16, we’ll find the sixth historical plaque. It is the square facing the villa where General John P. Lucas and his Chief of Staff and his officers and non-commissioned officers stayed for a month. On February 23rd, when General Lucian K. Truscott took over as commander of 6th Corps, some of the officers remained to live in the villa, but Truscott and his Chief of Staff Don Carlton, took up accomodation in a villa in Via Romana. It was here, in Piazza del Mercato that took place the ceremonies for the presentation of medals to the bravest American soldiers. An important testimony comes to us from one of Truscott’s aides, Captain (at that time) James M. Wilson: “Saturday 1st April 1944. Another quiet night with weather bad. Usual harassing fire and single plane raid doing no damage… General goes over to square to present 2 Legion of Merit (one to General Ramey) and 5 Silver Stars. Honor guard and 3rd Division Band make colorful ceremony… Small air raid at 22:00”.
