War Soldier

My grandfather came to America Veitri Di Potenza in the region of Basilicata in southern Italy. He came to Buffalo NY and earned the nickname "The Side Wheel, "as he oiled the New York Central steam engine. My father later called "The Wheel" as all his friends grew up with nicknames. It was funny because as a child I did not know their real names. Simply "The Bird", "The Weasel", and his brother "Jumbo". He was a second generation Italian American. Like many men and women of every race and ethnicity in the years 1940, it began at Fort Dix in New Jersey and found himself in England in June 1944.

For the purposes of telling his story, I'll call him by his first name, James. Like many of his counterparts, he spoke little of the war and I soaked in every detail when it opened on this subject a little. He loved "The Longest Day "and I wish he could see" Saving Private Ryan "as he would have liked immensely.

In 2006, The National Purple Heart Hall of Fame was established in Vails Gate, NY. When I heard, I wrote them a letter with some pictures and other attachments.

Dear Friends of Purple Heart recipients:

Thank you for creating this hall of honor and recognition.

My father Private First Class James was a member of the Fourth Division, Medical Unit, 8th Infantry Regiment. A veteran Second World War, four years and one month of its story is very interesting if not surprising. I have included many documents in the folder to help document his experience.

I'll tell you some details in this letter he told me (as many veterans he rarely spoke of war) to clarify and expand the attached documents.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York he worked and even made serious "sparring" as a boxer before the war and fought for the championship at Fort Dix. It was about 5 '9 "and 185 lbs. wounded in Belgium, he returned to the States at Fort Dix. My mother's New Jersey, the family came to visit him and walked right by her bed — he weighed only 88 pounds!

He said that the Fourth Division derivative past the targeted landing on D-Day. The result somehow less people than some of the other landings. I have included the Eighth Infantry command post that details their locations across four fights on the way to Germany. On this sheet, I have marked January 31, 1945 Lommersweiler, Belgium. That day, the soldier James went with another GI when a Nazi Tiger tank opened fire on the hill, they are running. A huge piece of shrapnel penetrated his thigh (I will not make you sick here, but I could fit four fingers in the joint in his leg). He was separated from his equipment and lying in the snow during fourteen hours. Somehow, with the help of Major (Doctor) Mr. Kenneth Alford (also from Buffalo, NY), his leg was saved. Buffalo Newspapers included him on their "list of Honored War Dead," as he was separated from his unit and had lost track (I included these items in the folder). He told the surprised faces on people who thought he was dead when he returned to Buffalo. From January 31, 1945 until his discharge January 16, 1946, he spent his time in hospitals in Europe and New Jersey.

With one leg about an inch and a half shorter than the other, he has worked for years at the VA Hospital in Buffalo, New York and has been a great employee, the best father and a guy could have.

Before being wounded at the Battle of the Bulge on December 4, 1944, his unit was ordered to retreat with another medic, managed to get three men wounded behind enemy lines back to the city by making three separate trips because they had a litter bearer. My father told me they could hear hundreds of Nazis pass within twenty yards as they exercise their return trips to the men to safety.

After all, it does not really think it has any price up to him. In 1955, he wrote for his good conduct medal and Combat Medical Badge. On March 5, 1956, he received the Bronze Star. On May 18th, 1959, he received his Purple Hearts. His family and friends are very proud to have known such a man. He died in 1983 at 100% Service Connected disabilities. The "wheel" has been a proud soldier and a great man.

I've never been in the service, but certainly a satisfaction to those who served. The First World War Generation II is indeed very special as are all those who risk their lives for America. The history of the Second World War soldier is dedicated to all nurses who have helped us in every war.

Soldiers of Conscience: To kill or not to kill? (part 1)

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