Nicholas Oresko
| Nicholas Oresko | |
|---|---|
Nicholas Oresko, Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born |
January 18, 1917 Bayonne, New Jersey |
| Died | October 4, 2013 (aged 96) Englewood, New Jersey |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Combat Infantryman Badge |
Nicholas Oresko (January 18, 1917 – October 4, 2013) was an American combat veteran of World War II who had received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in Germany on January 23, 1945.
Oresko was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 18, 1917. He was the descendant of Ukrainian immigrants.
He joined the US Army in March 1942. He was sent to Europe and arrived in France in September 1944, three months after the Normandy landings. A platoon sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, he spent the next several months with his unit mopping up pockets of German soldiers who had been bypassed in the Allies' initial push through the northern part of France. In December 1944, the 94th Division was redeployed to replace the 90th Infantry Division as part of General Patton's Third Army. The 94th Division assumed positions opposite the Westwall and the German's 11th Panzer Division.
On January 23, 1945, near Tettingen, Germany, Master Sergeant Oresko single-handedly and under enemy fire, took out a German bunker position that was armed with a machine gun. Seriously wounded by another enemy machine gun from another bunker, he attacked that bunker under fire and destroyed that enemy position. Nine months later on October 30, 1945, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. President Harry Truman formally presented Oresko the medal during a ceremony at the White House.
...
Wikipedia