THE ONES WHO COULDNT TAKE IT, DIDNT MAKE IT Like many Americans, as soon as Vincent J. Riccio heard about the attack on Pearl harbor, he wanted to enlist in the military. Vincent Nick (1921-2004) was inducted into the United States Army on August 15, 1942. He was discharged with the rank of Technical Sergeant on November 5, 1945, exactly one year after the Ludwighafen mission. Vincent could have been a pilot – but took a voluntary wash when his brother was killed in the Pacific because cadets weren’t allowed emergency furloughs and he wanted to go home and console his parents. Instead of completing last leg of training, he went to gunnery school, and got to go home for 2 weeks. He was awarded the Air Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the World War Two Victory Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Vincent Riccios older brother, Corporal Philip N. Riccio served in the United States Army, 7th Infantry and was killed in action on Gea Island (Marshall Islands) in February 1944. Every year on November 5th, Vincent would lower the flag on the flag post in his yard to half-mast. When his daughter, Candice asked him why, he said it was in memory of a crew member who had died when they bailed out over Germany in 1944. The family later came to understand that he was honoring the memory of Co-pilot Stan Wolfson who was killed by a German national after his capture. Technical Sgt. Vincent J. Riccio served as Flight Engineer and top turret gunner on a B-17 in the 95th Bomb Group. On November 5, 1944, on a mission over Ludwigshafen, he and all but two crew members parachuted out of the disabled aircraft. Vincent was taken prisoner and after his plane was disabled was sent to Stalag Luft IV and then taken on a forced march to Fallingbostel where British prisoners helped care for him. On April 16, 1945, the first Prisoner of War Camp containing British prisoners was liberated by advancing tanks of the British Armoured Brigade. The camp is Stalag 11B just south of Fallingbostel, which is about 10 miles southwest of Soltau. The liberated prisoner at the back left has been declared to be Vincent J. Riccio, an American POW and Technical Sergeant ,flight engineer/gunner in the US Army Air Corps. After the war, Vincent spent most of his life as a building contractor. Candice didn’t find out that her father had been a Prisoner of War in World War II until she was in high school. Even then he didn’t say much. He didn’t seem to think it was all that important. In his words, “Not a big deal.” Almost 50 years passed before he would share his story, and only then after he started having nightmares and flashbacks to his war experiences. Although Candace could not say that her fathers wartime experiences impacted her childhood or her father, something I ask all children of veterans, her fathers story would later reveal to her a side of him that she had never known – a glimpse into what he was like as a young soldier – fun-loving, level headed, and resourceful. He suffered from the cold, and claimed that all who survived the Black Hunger March suffer from the cold. He also had an aversion to eating boiled potatoes which must have been a prison staple diet. After having been a POW, her father said, You learn about people, you learn about human nature, you learn what the human body can take The ones who couldnt take it, didnt make it. He chose not to dwell on the negative, instead recognized the humanity of the people he encountered on both sides of the conflict. Just knowing that her fathers generation suffered and endured hardships has given Candace and perhaps all of us a greater appreciation for the liberties that we enjoy today. It was an interesting experience. If I had to, I would do it all over again. Thats how interesting it was. ~ Vincent J. Riccio, February 1991 Reflecting on his experiences as a flyer and POW in WWII The son of Italian immigrants, he was very proud to be an American. Despite his claims to the contrary, he was one of the most patriotic people, ever the patriot. He did not regret having served in the military; he was not bitter about his experiences. Vincent J. Riccio passed on September 1, 2004, and in keeping with his example, his family lowered the flag outside his home to half-mast. He was buried with military honors in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Vincent never considered himself a hero. He was from a generation that took war and its sacrifices in stride. Vincents daughter, Candace Riccio Salem has captured her fathers wartime recollections as recorded by Vincent for his family in 1991 in her book, EVER THE PATRIOT: Recollections of Vincent J. Ricccio, World War II Veteran and POW. His memoir reflects his impressions of military service, the people he met, and the lessons he learned along the way. Please stand in a moment of silence for this brave father, veteran and hero. May he rest in peace and forever be remembered for his service to our country. Comes A Soldiers Whisper remembering history and honoring our veterans, one day at a time... https://facebook/ComesASoldiersWhisper comesasoldierswhisper https://twitter/Jennylas Photo & Text Source: Candace Riccio Salem & United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s digital collection EVER THE PATRIOT-Order your copy today on smile.amazon/ & Amazon will make free donation
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 06:46:02 +0000
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