Spotlight on Joe Vecchio, Veteran of the Month in Honor of Veteran’s Day

Decorated with Two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for Bravery in WWII,

Joe Vecchio is an American Hero and a Notable Veteran of War.

Few people know that long time OSIA member Joe Vecchio served in the US Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany and the battle in France. He was awarded TWO Purple Hearts for wounds received in the line of duty and for meritorious action against the enemy for each battle.  Joe was also awarded the rarely given Silver Star medal as a result of enemy action on April 10, 1945.  

An official copy of Joe’s award record from the United States Army states “For gallantry in action in Luxembourg on 15 January 1945, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States.  During a fierce enemy counterattack at Neiderfeulen, Luxembourg, S. Sgt. Vecchio exposed himself to severe fire and by firing a machine gun and throwing hand grenades he delayed the attack while his company made a flanking assault to inflict great losses on and rout the hostile forces.  His aggressiveness and gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States. ”

Joe was the Sergeant in charge of a 3 man 30 Caliber Machine Gun crew.  His two assistant gunners were incapacitated by their wounds.  Joe was decorated with the Silver Star because he single handily fired his machine gun, and loaded it  continuously while treating his soldier's and his own personal wounds yet kept up the rate of fire on the enemy to hold them off from over running his position and his company.  Unknown to most people a machine gun can not keep firing with out danger of melting the barrel. It needs to be changed every few minutes and can only be fired in 3-5 round bursts.   However, Joe, with disregard for his own safety held the German attackers off with out changing the barrel.  He is a true hero and saved not only his gun crew but his entire company by his heroic actions.

After the war he was awarded the Croix d’ Guerre (Cross of War) (1940-1945) for exceptional service rendered for the ensuing battle to the country of Luxembourg by the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

Joe fondly recalls meeting General George S. Patton in a field hospital while being treated for wounds suffered in the line of duty.  Patton was visiting the wounded and saw Joe with his Purple Heart and told him he was lucky.  Joe actually took a photo of Patton but was so excited he doesn’t know if he took the photo or not.

Joe was born in Licata, Sicily where he lived for 15 years.  His father was an American.  He came to the United States with his mother and lived in Cleveland, Ohio until he was drafted in 1942.  Joe met his wife Marilyn (Zappala) at a Renaissance Lodge meeting in 2001.  They married in 2004.

The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces, and the third highest given for valor (in the face of the enemy).

The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.

The French Croix de' Guerre medal is awarded to those individuals who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with enemy forces.

 

~Article by Kathy DeSantis  (for publication on 11-06)