World War Two veteran and Brooklyn native Eugene Gagliardi was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the United States Army July 25 at Fort Hamilton for putting his life on the line nearly 70 years ago during the infamous Battle of the Bulge.
As a member of the Eighth Armored Division, Private First Class Gagliardi, 87, was sent to Alsace-Lorriane, France, to fight in what would later be called the Battle of the Bulge. Known as the biggest, bloodiest battle fought by the United States in World War II, with approximately 19,000 American deaths, the Battle of the Bulge was one of Germany’s last offensives. It proved to be an unsuccessful last attempt to push the allied forces away from German territory.
While in the battle, Gagliardi’s company was pinned down for 15 days during the worst blizzard of the century, according to the Army. They were completely surrounded, outmanned by a 3-to-1 margin and outgunned with German firepower and Panzer tanks. There was very little food, water and warm clothing, said the Army.
While his unit was pinned down, Gagliardi was sent to find fresh fuel and ammunition. He crawled to and from a village for hours, but was unsuccessful due to the massive shelling, said the Army. Gagliardi said the Germans got to the supplies first — he found everything blown to bits when he finally reached the village. On the brink of defeat and starvation, the blizzard ended allowing the U.S. Air Force to attack and defeat the German offensive, sparing the remaining forces.
“I feel like I don’t deserve all this attention because I left so many people behind,” said Gagliardi, choking up, after receiving the award. “On behalf of all my comrades I would like to thank everybody.”
Gagliardi enlisted in the New York National Guard at the age of 15 right after Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. When the military discovered he was underage, he was discharged, but when he turned 17 he joined the Army. The Battle of the Bulge was his first (and only) combat mission.
“This gentleman’s commitment to our nation goes beyond a lot of people’s comprehension,” said Col. Eluyn Gines, the garrison commander at Fort Hamilton.
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroic or meritorious acts while facing an opposing armed force. It is among the highest honors a soldier can receive. Anyone served in the Army after Dec. 6, 1941 is eligible for the award, which was first established by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944.
Galleried said the battle, which left nearly three quarters of his company dead, stays with him every day and that it took many years to readjust. In addition to emotional scars, his feet were nearly amputated in the field due to frostbite, and both of his legs and feet suffered nerve damage. After the war, Gagliardi worked as a writer at The New York Times, the New York Daily News, and the New York Post over a period of 40 years.
