Rome, NY WWII Fallen

PFC NICHOLAS G. ESPOSITO

U.S. Army 12055351

82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company HQ, 81st Mortar Platoon

Nicholas “Nick” Genero Esposito was born March 2, 1920, in Rome, Oneida County, New York, to Andrea “Andrew” (1881-1966) and Maddalena Montano (1888-1954) Esposito. Andrew was born in Messercola, di Caserta, Italy, and Maddalena was born in Acerra, di Caserta, Italy. They were married in Rome, New York, on September 16, 1905. Andrew worked for Revere Copper and Brass in various positions and Maddalena was a housewife.

The Espositos were parents to eleven children: Clement (1908-1982), Katherine Fazio (1909-1993), Anthony (1912-1981), Andrew (1913-1914), Andrew Jr. (1916-2008), Angeline Belcamino (1918-1986), Nicholas (1920-1944), Rose Deutschman (1922-2014), Mary Carmella Gennaro (1924-1971), Antoinette (1928-1928), and Josephine Hluska (1930-2014).

Angeline served in the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) during WWII in a medical detachment with the USAAF. Two brothers-in-law also served in WWII - PFC John Gennaro in the Army, and Casimir Deutschman in the USAAF. Casimir made 35 combat missions over France and Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medial, Four Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Presidential Citation for outstanding performance under difficult conditions.

Nicholas attended Gansevoort Elementary School and was named to the honor roll in 1926. In 1936, Nick was part of the largest graduating class to date of Rome Junior High School. He attended high school at Rome Free Academy where he played football in 1937 and 1938, baseball in 1937, and served as an art editor on the 1939 De-O-Wain-Sta yearbook staff. The yearbook stated the following: “You have to be a football hero to get along with a beautiful girl. Nick has no worries on this score!” Nick earned a letter for football, which was presented on May 26, 1939. Nick graduated from Rome Free Academy on June 28, 1939.

Nick was employed at the General Cable Company, Rubber Covering Department, Rome, New York, when he registered for the draft in Rome on July 1, 1941. He was 6’1” tall, weighed 180 pounds, had brown hair and eyes, and reported a birthmark on his left arm. He was living with his parents at 602 Lawrence Street.

Nick was a member of the Junior Achievement group of Rome, New York. He and William Zmudowski attended the 10th Annual Convention of Metropolitan Junior Achievement, Inc., at the Engineering Societies Auditorium in New York City in May 1941. The two men were guests of the Board of Directors, which included Donald Dallas, President of Revere Copper and Brass, Inc., of Rome, New York. On May 9, Nick and William attended an exhibition of craftsmanship, a dinner and presentation of national awards, and a national radio broadcast. On May 10, they experienced a complete tour of New York City from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and attended a national radio broadcast.

Nick enlisted in the U.S. Army in Utica, New York, on February 6, 1942, and was assigned to a parachute unit. He completed basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas. Nick visited his parents in July 1942 on a furlough following completion of a “very rigorous” four-week training course at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Nick shipped out overseas from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, in March 1943.

While Nick was home on furlough, he was interviewed by The Daily Sentinel, Rome, New York, on July 24, 1942, about paratrooper training:

“It was purely the spirit of adventure that induced him to join the paratroops, for up to Feb. 6, when he enlisted, he had never even been up in an airplane.”

“ … take it from Esposito, and the U.S. Army too, it requires long hours of training and practice before the many intricacies of a parachute jump can be mastered.”

“While coming down with the chute open, the jumper approaches the earth at a rate of between 14 to 20 feet a second, or a good 15 miles per hours pace…”

Nick explained the extensive training helps prevent bruises (“strawberries”), shock, and broken bones on landing. Training also includes intensive bodybuilding and parachute training after basic training.

“His first week (at Ft. Benning) from Camp Wolters was spent in calisthenics of particular value for their line of work and learning to pack parachutes. Half of each day of the second week is also spent in packing the ‘chutes, for ‘this gives you confidence in them and you know when you pull the cord they’re going to open.’ The other half day he was jumping from mock planes and towers to get the ‘feel’ of the leap.”

“The Army wanted to learn if Esposito and his colleagues had nerve for the work, so the next week they leaped from control towers or free towers. The control tower is similar to the one at the World’s Fair in New York, with an attachment to the parachute. …. Men had to pull the rip cord and drop 15 feet before the harness, or control, would catch. They also had to learn to change the cord from hand to hand as a test of manipulation. ‘Then they pull us up, head down, for 150 feet.’ “

“Comes the fourth week and the acid tests. To qualify for the service, the soldiers are required to successfully undertake five 1,500-foot jumps.”

“The first time Esposito took a parachute jump, he says he doesn’t remember what happened. ‘But after that first time, everything is clear to you and you remember what you’ve been taught to do. You’re mentally alert and just to make sure, it’s a good thing to keep talking.’ He feels more uncomfortable in the plane, waiting to get out, than he does when he’s on his way down.”

“ ‘I’m quite a bit heavier than many of the boys, so I come down faster,’ said Esposito. ‘You have to drive a parachute just like a car, only you manipulate it by climbing on the cords up to the canopy. ….. but if I were to tell of all the things we have to learn to make a parachute jump, I’d fill a book,’ he says.”

In March 1943, Nick was shipped overseas from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to North Africa.

From The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Unit History: https://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/504/504.html

After arriving in Casablanca, French Morocco on 10 May 1943, the 504th began the grueling preparations for the drops into Sicily from their base in North Africa. Finally, on the night of 10 July, the 504th was ordered to jump on Farello Airstrip, which was held by the Americans. However, disaster soon struck. One anti-aircraft gunner opened up on the transports and soon other itchy trigger fingers jerked in response. Twenty-three of 144 USAAF transports were shot down by friendly fire and a total of 318 American troops were killed or wounded in the operation.

According to US WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, while in the Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria Theater, July 1943, Nick was wounded in his hand by shrapnel and treated for cellulitis. He was returned to active duty that same month.

Salerno – the Oil Drum Drop: At 0330 on 9 September 1943 the amphibious landings at Salerno began. The Allied hold on the beachhead became tenuous when, on 12 September, the Germans launched a successful counterattack. The situation became so critical that Gen. Mark Clark ordered the 82nd to prepare to drop directly on the beachhead. In order to guide the C-47 pilots to the shrinking drop zone, oil drums filled with gasoline soaked sand were ignited every 50 yards when signaled. On the night of 13 September, 1300 504'rs took off and parachuted on to a drop zone that was a mere 1200 yards long and 800 yards wide south of the Sele River near Salerno. The sight of the paratroopers floating down gave the defending troops a morale boost as well as badly needed reinforcements. The days that followed were, in the words of General Mark Clark, Commander of the 5th Army, "responsible for saving the Salerno beachhead." As the 504th (minus 3rd Battalion) took the high ground at Altavilla, the enemy counterattacked and the Commander of 6th Corps, General Dawley, suggested the unit withdraw. Epitomizing the determined spirit of the Regiment, Colonel Tucker vehemently replied, "Retreat, Hell! -- Send me my other battalion!" The 3rd Battalion then rejoined the 504th, the enemy was repulsed, and the Salerno beachhead was saved. By 18 September the Germans withdrew, conceding the success of the landings.

Leg Infantry - To outflank the German defenses along the Gustav Line, an amphibious invasion at Anzio was planned. Assigned as part of the invasion force was the 504th Parachute Combat Team (PCT), consisting of the 504th PIR, the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, and Company C, 307th Parachute Engineers. The 504th had been fighting as "leg infantry" during the advance towards Rome until pulled from combat on 4 January 1944 to prepare for the Anzio operation. … After withdrawal the third Battalion, 504th PIR was assigned to the 1st Armor Division, while the remainder of the PCT was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Rejoined by the decimated 3rd Battalion the 504th PCT was soon back in their defensive positions on the right flank where they carried out aggressive small unit infiltration patrols across German lines. This demoralized the Germans as was noted by a German officer who referred to them as "Devils in Baggy Pants", a name proudly carried by the 504th until this day.

PFC Nick Esposito, in Bagnoli, Italy, serving with the 504th PIR, 3rd Battalion, Company HQ, 81st Mortar Platoon, was in a photograph of the unit on the steps of the Italian University.

In late March the 504th was ordered withdrawn to England to join the 82nd Airborne. They departed aboard the "Capetown Castle". Although Nazi broadcasters warned the unit by radio that German submarines would never let the ship past the Straits of Gibraltar, the only danger the ship encountered came when all the troops rushed to the same side of the vessel as it pulled into Liverpool on 22 April 1944. The 82nd Airborne Division band greeted them with "We're All American and proud to be ...," and it was assumed that the 504th would rejoin the 82nd for the upcoming invasion at Normandy. As D-Day approached, however, it became apparent that the 504th would be held back. A lack of replacements prevented the Regiment from participating in the invasion, so only a few dozen 504th troopers were taken as pathfinders.

Operation Market Garden - On 9 September 1944 Field-Marshal Montgomery proposed a plan, called Operation Market Garden, to secure a bridgehead across the Rhine. The operation called for a combined armor and airborne assault to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines in Holland. The airborne phase of the operation consisted of capturing five bridges ahead of the armored force. The 504th now back at full strength rejoined the 82nd.

The 504th's mission was to capture two bridges across the Maas-Waal Canal. The operation began on 17 September. The 504th quickly secured one of the most important objectives, the nine-span bridge over the Maas River, by hitting both ends simultaneously.

On 20 September the 3rd Battalion of the 504th commanded by Major Julian Cook was order by Gen Gavin to make an assault across the Waal River and secure a crucial bridge (the Nijmegen Railway Bridge). With artillery support, the first wave of the 504th assaulted, in twenty-six assault boats, under intense fire, taking 200 casualties in the process. Finally, on D+4 the 504th secured their hold on the bridge, fighting off another German counterattack just before noon.

The 82nd Airborne Division's assault on the bridge in September 1944 received the nickname "Little Omaha" due to the heavy casualties, and became a significant turning point in the battle. PFC Nicholas Esposito was a casualty of this assault. September 20, 1944, he and 47 other paratroopers were killed in the line of duty at Nijmegen, Netherlands, crossing the Waal River.

According to the American War Memorials Overseas, Inc., website, Nicholas served in HQ/3, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, as a Private First Class during World War II. He was killed in action on September 20, 1944, during Operation Market Garden while participating in the Waal River crossing, the heroic crossing that liberated Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He was one of the 48 paratroopers killed during the assault on German positions on the opposite bank. PFC Esposito is now buried in Saint John's Cemetery, Rome, Oneida County, New York, USA, but the death date on his headstone is September 21.

Nick was buried in a temporary cemetery at Molenhoek, Netherlands. Nick had been overseas for 18 months and participated in every European invasion. He was the 33rd Roman to give his life for his country. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Rome Medal of Honor (Rome, NY).

On April 28, 1949, the body of PFC Esposito arrived in New York and was met by veterans’ representatives. He was buried with full military rites on Monday, May 2, 1949, at Saint John’s Cemetery in Rome, New York, proceeded by a solemn requiem high mass at St. John the Baptist Church. Nick shares a tombstone with his sister, Katherine Fazio.

In October 1953, a reunion of the Rome Free Academy (RFA) football teams of 1913 and 1938 was held in Rome, New York. These teams were both undefeated and had two of the most brilliant records in the history of RFA football. Four members of the 1938 team were killed in World War II – Nicholas Esposito, Gabriel Ensenat, Edward L. Smith, Jr., and Leslie Telesca. A prayer was offered for these departed team members.

PFC Nicholas Esposito is remembered on a memorial monument at the Waal River Crossing Bridgehead in the Netherlands. The memorial consists of two sets of etched granite monuments. The first set, upright stones, remembers the crossing vital to Operation Market Garden. The second monument remembers the 48 soldiers killed during the crossing.

In 2013, the city of Nijmegen finished the construction of a new city bridge called De Oversteek (The Crossing). It was constructed close to the area where US 82nd Airborne crossed the river Waal on September 20, 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden. Sunset March is a daily tribute to those Allied soldiers who fought for the liberation of The Netherlands, and especially for those soldiers who lost their lives. There are 48 pairs of streetlight posts to pay tribute to the soldiers who died during the crossing. At sunset each day, the streetlights, pair by pair, are lit at a slow marching pace, which takes almost twelve minutes. Every night a veteran walks the Sunset March at sunset, walking at the same pace. The veteran is recognized by a beret, their insignia, personal medals, or special flag. Any veteran can participate and walk the Sunset March, paying tribute to PFC Nicholas Esposito and the other fallen of the Waal River Crossing.

End notes: This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars Project, a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3 web sites. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery. If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact hillerson@beyondbb.com.

Resources:

Fulton History Index: https://fultonhistory.com/

Findagrave:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21252582/nicholas-g-esposito

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21252572/andrea_g_esposito

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21252577/maddalena_esposito

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21252576/katherine_fazio

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21252573/anthony_g_esposito

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28788071/andrew_a_esposito

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21056466/angeline_belcamino

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137037025/rose_j_deutschman

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262581534/casimir_s_deutschman