The US Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium felt heartbroken to share the news of the passing of US Army veteran Vincent Speranza. Speranza was 98 years old and passed away on August 2, 2023.
“The entire US Embassy community sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Mr Speranza’s family and friends,” added US Embassy to Belgium.
Speranza was a true force of nature and was always present at every major ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Bulge, always ready to share stories of his service in World War II, and always humble, added the Embassy.
Furthermore, US Embassy in Belgium thanked him for his service and added, “You will be greatly missed, but your legacy will never be forgotten.”
Born in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City, Sperenza enlisted when he turned 18 and volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and trained at Fort Benning, assigned to H Company, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
Overseas, Speranza heroically served until January 1946. He experienced the siege of Bastogne during the historic Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Speranza was a machine gunner in a forward foxhole outside of the town. The attitude was, “I don’t care what you guys throw at me; you’re not getting by my foxhole!”. For his actions in combat, he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valour.
Vincent Speranza returned from the war and used the GI Bill to graduate from Wagner College. He later became a history teacher at Curtis High School. After more than six decades, Speranza decided to write a book about his life and titled it “Nuts!” While writing the book, he reminisced about jumping, which was a memorable experience he wanted to relive.
Speranza was always present at every major ceremony in Normandy, Holland, and Bastogne and was always ready to share stories of his service in World War II. In March, he skydived again at 98 as part of a ceremony commemorating WWII paratroopers.
