World War II Honoree

Nicola P. 'Nick' Gentile

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Newton, Massachusetts

Honored By

Michael O'Neil

Relationship

neighbor

ENGINEER-PIONEER, SQUAD LEADER AND PLATOON SERGEANT WITH THE 2ND BATTALION, 5TH COMBAT ENGINEER REGIMENT, BRIEFLY RE-DESIGNATED AS THE 1278TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION, FIRST U.S. ARMY IN EUROPE. ENLISTED JANUARY 1942. INITIALLY, ASSIGNED TO ICELAND FOR 19 MONTHS TO CONSTRUCT MILITARY BASES AND DEFENSES. SUBSEQUENTLY ENGAGED IN ACTION WHILE PARTICIPATING IN 5 CAMPAIGNS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER INCLUDING D-DAY AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. SUPERVISED THE CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF ROADS AND ROAD BLOCKS, BUILT AND REPAIRED BRIDGES, ASSEMBLED AND INSTALLED BAILEY BRIDGES AND ALSO UTILIZED DEMOLITION MUNITIONS ON ENEMY ROAD BLOCKS AND EMPLACEMENTS. SERVED OVERSEAS FOR OVER FORTY MONTHS. RECIPIENT OF SEVERAL CAMPAIGN AND SERVICE MEDALS. DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT IN OCTOBER 1945.