In 1942, during World War II, the
American government, particularly the Office of Naval Intelligence believed
that Luciano could be helpful in the war effort through his strong connections
in the Sicilian and Italian mafia. The U.S Navy at the time was getting increasingly frustrated by
unstable labor conditions and sabotage on the New York waterfront, so when the luxury
liner Normandie blew up in New York harbor, the navy decided to approach
Luciano. Luciano considered himself to be loyal American, who was devoted to
Sicily, the Mafia and the United States alike, so when the American government offered
him a deal which would free him from prison and see him deported to Rome for
his aid in the war effort, he gladly took it.
On 12 May 1942, Luciano was moved
to Great Meadow Prison, a far more pleasant penitentiary, as a show of good
faith by the American government in order for him to help the U.S Naval
Intelligence by influencing the mafia in Sicily.
Luciano’s help was needed in
providing Mafia assistance during Operation Avalanche, by helping countering
possible Axis infiltration on U.S. Waterfronts and his connections in Italy and
Sicily were tapped to provide intelligence and ensure an easy passage for U.S.
forces involved in the Italian Campaign. Luciano also controlled the longshoreman’s
union so he arranged through Albert Anastasia, who controlled the docks that no
dockworkers strikes would arise. Luciano’s Mafia connections were also reportedly
used to root out communist influence in labor groups and local governments,
during and after the war.
In 1946, as a reward for his
wartime cooperation, Luciano was paroled and deported to Rome. Luciano was
deeply hurt for having to leave New York. He said that he was native to New
York City and therefore should not be subject to deportation. Ironically it was
Governor Dewey, who originally prosecuted Luciano, that signed off on Luciano’s
release and deportation.
