Nicholas Oresko, the nation’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient at 96, has died. Nick was born on January 18, 1917 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He joined the United States Army in March 1942 and at the age of 28, received our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, from President Harry Truman for his actions on January 23, 1945 during World War II.

Master Sergeant Oresko is credited with single-handedly destroying two enemy positions that had pinned down his unit near Tettington, Germany, clearing the way for his company to go back on the offensive. Nick Oresko was the platoon leader when automatic fire pinned down his unit. Realizing a machine gun in a nearby bunker needed to be eliminated, Nick moved out alone in the morning darkness, braving bullets that zipped about him, until he was close enough to throw a grenade into the German bunker. He rushed the bunker and used his M-1 rifle to kill the soldiers who survived the grenade blast. Then, when another machine gun fired, knocking Nick down and wounding him in the right hip and leg, he managed to crawl to another bunker and take it out with another grenade. Despite being weak from a massive loss of blood, Nick refused to be evacuated until he was assured that the mission was accomplished.

American Exceptionalism and TOTAL BADASS.

Nick Oresko’s actions on Jan. 23, 1945, prevented numerous American casualties and were praised as key to the Allies’ victory. You can read Nick’s full Medal of Honor citation here. And I’m sure you’ve seen this picture of Nick Oresko – who was the oldest MOH recipient – with Dakota Meyer, the youngest. Isn’t it awesome? I love it.

And you can also watch this video below for more of Nick Oresko’s story, and in his own words.

Nick Oresko, you are an American son. We honor you and thank you, Sir. Godspeed.

_____

Great Weekend Blog Reading Links!

Teach at Pirate’s Cove is blogging about “Should The Government Regulate Your Grow In The Dark Plant?”

The Other McCain has many good blog posts up including this one by Stacy on “Strange Craziness From @x3n0ph0n, Another Member of ‘Team Kimberlin'”.

ST at Sister Toldjah has up a post on “Senior admin official tells WSJ “it doesn’t really matter” to WH when #HarryReidsShutdown ends”.

Professor Jacobson at Legal Insurrection has up a great post today on “Video: Meet Vets who moved “water-filled barriers” to get to Iwo Jima Memorial.” Bastids.

Jeff at Gay Patriot has up an interesting blog post called “Obama holding hostages: start with President Lincoln”.

Glenn Reynolds or Instapundit has many great posts at his blog hub from all over the blogosphere so go check them out! And you can watch Glenn’s latest column for USA Today here.

Emily at NakedDC has a blog post up on “White House still #winning as Dems concoct a plan to end shutdown.”

Yorkshire at The First Street Journal has up a great post “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Facts – It’s Always the Republicans Fault”.

Matt over at Blackfive has up a great video called “The Sweetest Sound – WWII Vets Singing “God Bless America” on Honor Flight.” With everything going on with the shutdown and our memorials, this is a must see.

Max at MaxRedline has up a post up called “Faint Young Sun Paradox.” Go read it.

Jammie at Jammie Wearing Fools has up a post on “Clueless Obama Claims He Has No Idea How Many People Signed Up for ObamaCare”.

This Ain’t Hell has a number of great posts up including this one by Jonn on “SEALs’ raid on al-Shabbab leader in Somalia.” Good.

As always, Michelle Obama’s Mirror has up a fun blog post called “Government Shutdown, Day 5: Bring Me Your Sob Story”. 🙂

Donald Douglas at American Power has up this blog post on “Joseph Stalin’s Comeback”.

Soopermexican has up this post up on his podcast “SooperPodcast #59: ObamaGlitchCare, Bills Sloshing and Shutdowwwwn!” Go listen or you’re a racist. 🙂

Evil Blogger Lady has up a post called “Marc Thiessen: How the GOP can box in the Democrats”.

Ed Morrissey has this post up at Hot Air “NYT reporter: Obama admin “most closed, control-freak administration I’ve ever covered”. Yeah, we know.

and finally, Ace at AoSHQ has a post “Syracuse Honor Flight Kicks Over Barrycades at the Iwo Jima Memorial”. Read the comments. 🙂

Have a terrific weekend!