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 Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Combat Infantryman Badge |
Nicholas Oresko (born January 18, 1917 – died October 4, 2013) was an American soldier who fought bravely in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery a soldier can get in the United States. He earned this medal for his amazing courage in Germany on January 23, 1945.
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Nicholas Oresko's Early Life
Nicholas Oresko was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on January 18, 1917. His family had roots in Ukraine.
Serving in World War II
Oresko joined the United States Army in March 1942. He was sent to Europe and arrived in France in September 1944. This was about three months after the Normandy landings, a very important event where Allied forces landed in France.
He was a platoon sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 302nd Infantry Regiment. This unit was part of the 94th Infantry Division. For several months, his unit helped clear out German soldiers who had been left behind as the Allied armies pushed through northern France.
In December 1944, Oresko's division was moved to a new area. They became part of General Patton's Third Army. They faced the German army along the Siegfried Line, also known as the Westwall. This was a strong line of defenses built by Germany.
Heroic Actions in Germany
On January 23, 1945, near a town called Tettingen, Germany, Master Sergeant Oresko showed incredible bravery. He was alone and under heavy enemy fire. He attacked a German bunker that had a machine gun. He managed to destroy this enemy position by himself.
Even though he was seriously wounded by another machine gun from a different bunker, he didn't stop. He attacked that second bunker while still under fire and destroyed it too. His actions saved many lives and helped his unit advance.
Nine months later, on October 30, 1945, Nicholas Oresko was awarded the Medal of Honor. President Harry S. Truman officially gave him the medal in a special ceremony at the White House.
After the War
Nicholas Oresko was recognized for his bravery even years after the war.
In 2015, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory created posters. These posters showed ten important Ukrainians who fought in World War II. Nicholas Oresko was one of the heroes featured on these posters.
In September 2017, a building at Fort Lee, Virginia, was named in his honor. This building is part of an Army Reserve Army School System.
His Final Years
Nicholas Oresko passed away on October 4, 2013. He was 96 years old. He died after having surgery for a broken leg bone called a femur.
See also
