Nuts! A 101st Airborne Division Machine Gunner at Bastogne
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 1941165516
- Publisher
- Vincent J. Speranza
- Physical Info
- 0.73 lb
This is one of the most enjoyable shorter books I've read.The author is a simple man who got caught up in WWII, had a great career and family and found fame late in life due to the remembrance in Belgium of an act he performed in giving succor to wounded soldiers at Bastogne.This is a first person account of his life. It feels like a conversation and the author is a great raconteur. His portrait of life as an immigrant's grandson in New York, volunteering for service and joining the paratroopers (101st Airborne) and manning a machine gun in Bastogne among other late war experiences are told with vigor, humor and an eye for catching detail.He spent most of his life not knowing he had been immortalized (anonymously) in Belgium by a brewery for his act of repeatedly bringing wounded soldiers his beer filled helmet to comfort them while they awaited in a make-shift aid station for Patton's column to relieve the encircled troops. A chance meeting on his first trip back revealed he as the soldier behind the image adorning a well-known Belgian brew. From there he connected late in life with his fame first as the beer-in-the-helmet soldier and then as a representative of the ever dwindling number of Screaming Eagle WWII combat veterans. He remained humorous, humble, grateful and likable throughout.His well-lived and adventurous life is captured well in this recounting. This book will touch you, fill you with pride in what many in his generation did in the call to service, and remind you that countless numbers of us strive and succeed to live meaningful lives through family, work, and being decent human beings.
Bought this book as a gift for my husband, who loves history. He absolutely loved it! Mr. Sperenza was a wonderful story-teller. May her rest in peace.
I gave this as a gift to a veteran. She says she is enjoying it
This book came as advertised. It’s a great read about his experiences in the 101st Airborne. A great companion to Band of Brothers and his videos on YouTube.
He was a storytelling WWII hero. Thanks for leaving this legacy!
