Nicholas Oresko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Oresko
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Nicholas Oresko, Medal of Honor recipient, in 2001
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| Born | January 18, 1917 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | October 4, 2013 (aged 96) Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, New Jersey
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank |  Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Combat Infantryman Badge |
Nicholas Oresko (January 18, 1917 – October 4, 2013) was an American combat veteran of World War II who received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in Germany on January 23, 1945.
Contents
Biography
Oresko was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 18, 1917. He was the descendant of Ukrainian people.
World War II
He joined the US Army in March 1942. He was sent to Europe and arrived in France in September 1944, three months after the Normandy landings. A platoon sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, he spent the next several months with his unit mopping up pockets of German soldiers who had been bypassed in the Allies' initial push through the northern part of France. In December 1944, the 94th Division was redeployed to replace the 90th Infantry Division as part of General Patton's Third Army. The 94th Division assumed positions opposite the Westwall and the German's 11th Panzer Division.
On January 23, 1945, near Tettingen, Germany, Master Sergeant Oresko single-handedly and under enemy fire, took out a German bunker position that was armed with a machine gun. Seriously wounded by another enemy machine gun from another bunker, he attacked that bunker under fire and destroyed that enemy position. Nine months later on October 30, 1945, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. President Harry Truman formally presented Oresko the medal during a ceremony at the White House.
Post World War II
In 2015, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory produced posters depicting ten outstanding Ukrainians who fought during World War II. Among them was Nicholas Oresko.
In September 2017, an Army Reserve Army School System Building at Fort Lee, VA was named in his honor.
Death
On October 4, 2013, Oresko died after suffering complications from surgery for a broken femur. He was 96 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Nicholas Oresko para niños
