At the monthly May meeting, of the VBOB Picatinny Arsenal, NJ chapter #54, Nicholas Oresko the oldest living Medal Of Honor Recipient was honored by the chapter. Present at the meeting was the Post’s commanding officer. Brigadier General Jonathan A. Maddux to participate in honoring Mr. Oresko.
(from left): Brian Gillen, Chapter President; Nicholas Oresko, CMOH Recipient; BG Jonathan A. Maddux, Commander Picatinny Arsenal; Al Sussman, 106th Infantry Division
Nicholas Oresko who is 94 years old and in good spirits and physical condition, lives alone in an assisted living facility since the passing of his wife several years ago. Being 94 hasn’t stopped him from driving a large Lincoln sedan and having a lovely lady as a friend of many years. It was inspiring to be present to see a former Master Sergeant who fought in the Battle of the Bulge being honored by his combat comrades. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 18, 1917, Nick Oresko enlisted in the Army and after basic training was sent to Europe in August 1944, two months after the Normandy landings as a platoon leader in Company C, 302nd Regiment of the 94th Infantry Division. In December, his division was deployed in support of other units forced to withdraw in the early days of the Battle of the Bulge. On January 23,1945, near Tettingen, Germany, Master Sergeant Oresko, platoon leader with Company C, they went in an attack against a strong enemy position. Deadly automatic fire from the flanks pinned down his unit. Realizing that a machine gun in a nearby bunker must be eliminated, he worked his way ahead alone, braving fire, which struck about him until he was close enough to throw a grenade into the German position. He rushed the bunker and with point blank rifle fire killed those occupants who survived the grenade blast. Another machine gun position opened fire on him, knocking him down and seriously wounding him in the hip. Refusing to withdraw, he placed himself at the head of his platoon to continue the assault. As withering machine gun 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 position and then wiped out the troops manning it with his rifle. Although weak from loss of blood, from four wounds, he refused to be evacuated until assured the mission was accomplished. M/Sgt. Oresko killed 12 Germans, preventing a delay in the assault and made it possible for Company C to obtain its objective with minimum casualties.
For his actions, he was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor nine months later, on October 30,1945 by President Harry Truman at the White House.
