Posted on 12/15/2021 6:17:08 AM PST by dmam2011
With crisply starched fatigues, World War II veteran and 101st Airborne Division patches fixed on his uniform, paratrooper boots glistening, Private First Class (PFC) Vince Speranza marvels at the thrilling twist his life took in his mid-80s.
Now 95, the veteran, retired history teacher, widower, father and grandfather, has a popular book called Nuts!: A 101st Airborne Division Machine Gunner at Bastogne that he published at the age of 89. He has more friends on Facebook than he knows what to do with, and fame in Belgium that rivals Jean-Claude Van Damme’s.
The freshly vaccinated American WWII GI and Illinois resident is visiting NAU this week to share his story with military-connected students, staff and Army ROTC cadets. He spoke about his Indie Book Award Finalist tome “Nuts,” shared life advice and talked about his discovery a few years back that his actions during the war were famous in Belgium. In fact, a dark Belgian brew called Airborne Beer was created to commemorate them.
(Excerpt) Read more at clarksvillian.com ...
Freshly vaccinated?
...Nuts!
I just finished James Megellas’ book, All The Way To Berlin. He lived to 103. Just passed in 2020.
God Bless these guys. Great inspiration
He makes it through all that to willingly accept a death shot.
A late bloomer!
Wonderful story! I had not heard of this gentleman before, and glad I got to read about him. Thanks for posting this.
well he’s not going to last another five years anyway.
Most impressive. Thanks for posting.
Whoa! I can see why it was low key, but good for him.
Agree. That was disappointing ...
right? 100%
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