An American paratrooper — who once famously delivered beer to a wounded soldier in his helmet — died on Wednesday at the age of 98.
<a href="https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2023-08-03/veteran-wwii-paratrooper-10925829.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vincent Speranza</a>, a kid from Hell&#8217;s Kitchen who served with the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, returned to the United States after World War II and spent twenty years teaching history.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Rest in Peace, Vince Speranza
23 March 1925-2 August 2023
Thanks for the memories<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWII?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWII</a> <a href="https://t.co/vbIGSBNs5M">pic.twitter.com/vbIGSBNs5M</a>
&mdash; XVIII Airborne Corps &amp; Fort Liberty (@18airbornecorps) <a href="https://twitter.com/18airbornecorps/status/1686884938262487041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
But Speranza truly became a legend amongst the locals during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 — when, at the behest of another wounded soldier, he went looking for something to drink.
As Speranza explained it, his good friend Joe Willis had been wounded in battle and was among the casualties waiting for aid in the ruins of an old church building. When Willis asked for something to drink, Speranza&#8217;s initial response was to remind him that they were surrounded — but then he went looking anyway.
After a time, Speranza discovered a tapped barrel of Belgian beer in the ruins of a nearby tavern — but because all of the glasses had been destroyed in the bombings, he had no way to deliver the beer to his friend. Off came the helmet, then, and he filled it to the brim. He made several trips from the barrel to the wounded after that, delivering the drinks in his helmet.
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/absolutely-true-legend-vincent-speranza-his-epic-beer-john-fenzel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">After one such trip</a>, he was cornered by the regimental surgeon, who asked what he was doing.
&#8220;Giving aid and comfort to the wounded,&#8221; Speranza replied.
&#8220;You stupid b*****d, don’t you know I have chest cases and stomach cases in there? You give them beer you’ll kill them,&#8221; he yelled.
Without another word, Speranza saluted and put on his helmet, which was still full of beer, and beat a hasty retreat — but &#8220;Airborne Beer&#8221; had already become legend.
Speranza only learned of his &#8220;fame&#8221; years later, telling a group at Northern Arizona University in 2021, &#8220;After being a machine gunner at the Battle of the Bulge, winning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star and (spending) two decades as a public school teacher, Airborne Beer is what I’m famous for.&#8221;
Speranza was one of the few American soldiers to <a href="https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2022/09/24/you-could-see-forever-wwii-veterans-parachute-to-coronado-during-force-con/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see the inside</a> of Hitler&#8217;s &#8220;Eagle&#8217;s Nest&#8221; at Berchtesgaden, where he saw a color-coded map of the world showing how the Germans, Japanese, and Italians had planned to divide power after the war. &#8220;If anybody ever doubted why we had to fight that war, there it was on the wall,&#8221; he said of the experience.
Speranza also worked closely with the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne, Belgium, attending ceremonies and reunions over the years. He also <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/positively-jax/2023/03/27/world-war-ii-veteran-jumps-out-of-plane-to-celebrate-98th-birthday/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continued to jump</a>, celebrating his 98th birthday in March of 2023 with a jump from the World War II-era &#8220;Tico Belle.&#8221;
The U.S. Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, recognized Speranza&#8217;s passing, saying, &#8220;RIP WWII Veteran Vincent Speranza&#8230; The U.S Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium is heartbroken to share news of the passing of U.S. Army veteran Vincent Speranza. The entire U.S. Embassy community sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Mr. Speranza’s family and friends. Mr. Speranza was a true inspiration to all of us and to many people across the United States and Belgium. A true force of nature, he 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. Thank you for your service, Mr. Speranza! You will be greatly missed, but your legacy will never be forgotten.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
RIP WWII Veteran Vincent Speranza
The U.S Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium is heartbroken to share news of the passing of U.S. Army veteran Vincent Speranza. The entire U.S. Embassy community sends their deepest heartfelt condolences to Mr. Speranza’s family and friends.
Mr.… <a href="https://t.co/k0u6Dq0QtD">pic.twitter.com/k0u6Dq0QtD</a>
&mdash; US Embassy Brussels (@usembbrussels) <a href="https://twitter.com/usembbrussels/status/1687023196266971136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
Helen Patton, granddaughter of General George S. Patton, responded to the loss of her friend in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10228358039189745&amp;set=pcb.10228357954147619" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a>: &#8220;He bore a lot more than he let on sometimes. The weight of all those who never came home. One had only to catch him in between the song storytelling and chuckles to see him pause thinking of them with a personal realization of war at its worst &#8230; Respect my friend. I expect to keep that friendship going without boundary and love eternal.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. &#8211; General Douglas McArthur ‌ Rest In Peace to 98-year-old PFC Vincent Speranza. Speranza, celebrated his birthday on March 2, 2023 jumping round canopy in Kay Larken Airfield in Palatka, Florida. ‌ Vincent served in Company H, 501st… <a href="https://t.co/tXn12DjGwh">pic.twitter.com/tXn12DjGwh</a>
&mdash; Zachary Bell (@zacharyebell) <a href="https://twitter.com/zacharyebell/status/1686877550151094272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

World War II Hero Famous For ‘Airborne Beer’ Dead At 98

CONTINUE READING

Why Trump Might Not Make It To His Son Don Jr’s Wedding

Spencer Pratt Reveals His Political Role Model

WATCH: Suspected Fraudster On The Run After Fourth-Floor Balcony Escape

WATCH: The Moment Police Officer Catches Baby Thrown From Burning Home

One Of America’s Most Dangerous Rescue Missions Is Becoming A Movie

WATCH: Pedestrians Run For Their Lives As Flaming Vehicle Explodes In Massive Cloud Of Smoke

News

Belgium

General

U.S.

Veterans

World War II

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

World War II Hero Famous For ‘Airborne Beer’ Dead At 98