RIP Nicholas Oresko, MOH, Battle of the Bulge
In death, Nicholas Oresko received a farewell befitting the hero he was in life.
The Bayonne native, the nation’s oldest Medal of Honor recipient when he died Oct. 4 at age 96 at an Englewood hospital, was buried Thursday with military honors reserved for the highest-ranking officers and enlisted soldiers with the highest award for bravery.
His public memorial at Bergen Community College’s Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre in Paramus drew hundreds of mourners, from three-star generals and fellow Medal of Honor recipients to children who attended the elementary school named in his honor in his hometown.
More lined the route that his casket, carried in a “deuce and a half” World War II Army truck, traveled along Paramus Road from an earlier private service to the college auditorium.
The video is outstanding:
His citation reads:
M/Sgt. Oresko was a platoon leader with Company C, in an attack against strong enemy positions. Deadly automatic fire from the flanks pinned down his unit. Realizing that a machinegun in a nearby bunker must be eliminated, he swiftly worked ahead alone, braving bullets which struck about him, until close enough to throw a grenade into the German position. He rushed the bunker and, with pointblank rifle fire, killed all the hostile occupants who survived the grenade blast. Another machinegun opened up on him, knocking him down and seriously wounding him in the hip. Refusing to withdraw from the battle, he placed himself at the head of his platoon to continue the assault. As withering machinegun and rifle fire swept the area, he struck out alone in advance of his men to a second bunker. With a grenade, he crippled the dug-in machinegun defending this position and then wiped out the troops manning it with his rifle, completing his second self-imposed, 1-man attack. Although weak from loss of blood, he refused to be evacuated until assured the mission was successfully accomplished. Through quick thinking, indomitable courage, and unswerving devotion to the attack in the face of bitter resistance and while wounded, M /Sgt. Oresko killed 12 Germans, prevented a delay in the assault, and made it possible for Company C to obtain its objective with minimum casualties.
RIP sir. /salute
Category: Politics
RIP Master Sergeant Oresko. You will be missed and revered. Rest well warrior.
He was well known around these parts. I grew a few miles from him. He would attend parades and was quite and reserved sort of man.
It is raining all over my lap here as I ponder what kind of life I would be leading withoout his courage and accomplishments.
Rest well MSGT Oresko.
Indomitable. It means unconquerable, impossible to defeat. Hell of a word. Hell of a man. Hell of a soldier. Rest in Peace.
my eyes leaked through the entire video. all I got is
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
‘Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
‘Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
Gods Speed Sir. Thank you.
God Speed, Nick.
We are losing these guys in ever increasing numbers, it won’t be long before they are all just memories that we must keep alive through our prayers and remembrances.
RIP Master Sergeant…Mission Accomplished
MSgt Nicholas Oresko. BAMF.
Rest in Peace, MSgt Oresko.
Wonderful video. RIP Sir.
Hardcore, balls out real American the kind we don’t make many of anymore. God rest you, Sir, faithful citizen soldier.
Peace, and God Bless.
Another Warrior enters Heaven.