Additional articles and videos about Vincent Speranza.

https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2023-08-03/veteran-wwii-paratrooper-10925829.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDHp9-kWd2g



Short obituary courtesy of https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/vincent-speranza-1925-2023-paratrooper-who-put-beer-in-his-helmet/.

Born in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City to a large Italian family who suffered through the Great Depression, Speranza enlisted in the Army right out of high school. He became part of the then-new Parachute Infantry and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Speranza first saw combat in one of the most notable campaigns of the European Theater: the siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. 

During the battle, while checking on wounded comrades, one soldier asked him for a drink. Speranza searched the rubble of nearby buildings, many bombed beyond recognition, and found a working beer tap. Without anything else to use, he filled his helmet with beer and brought it back. His friend was grateful, as were others around him, so Speranza went back for more. Before long, the story became legend. 

Speranza would go on to be a history teacher and was largely oblivious to his fame. However, his story lived on in Bastogne, leading to a local brewery creating Airborne Beer in his honor, served in small ceramic helmets. In later years, he would participate in many events in Europe honoring war anniversaries, and he even made one last parachute jump at the age of 98. 

Vincent Speranza.  Legacy obituary photo.

Vincent Speranza with beer bottles from Bastogne.  Philomath News.

AUBURN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

WWII Paratrooper famous for bringing beer-Army Times Memorial

I just saw the video about this guy. I love how he was bringing aid and comfort to his battle buddies! Great story.

Vincent Speranza was a paratrooper with the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne division called the Screaming Eagles.  Speranza fought in the Battle of The Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. He earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star awards. He is famous for bringing beer to an injured friend.  Speranza, who was a runner, had been delivering something (most likely maps) to headquarters.  He went to see a friend in the bombed-out church that acted as a field hospital during the siege. He talked with his friend for awhile before asking if he could do anything or get anything to help him to be more comfortable. His friend asked for something to drink and Speranza, whose canteen was empty, went looking for a drink for his friend. In a bombed-out building, Speranza found a beer tap which surprisingly still worked. He filled up his helmet and headed back to the field hospital. His friend and others at the hospital were grateful for the beer but Speranza was told off by the surgeon on his trip back to the hospital after getting more beer because the beer could’ve been harmful for soldiers with stomach problems.  There is now a beer named after Speranza called Airborne Beer that is made in Bastogne.  Speranza was discharged in January of 1946 and went on to teach history at Curtis High School and write his memoir, “Nuts!” based off his experiences during the war. Speranza married his wife Iva Leftwich and had three children; Susan Erwin Pietrangelo, Vince Speranza, and Kathy Wilson . Speranza made a final parachute jump at the age of 98 before his death on August 2, 2023. 

VINCENT J SPERANZA

Service

WORLD WAR II

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

PURPLE HEART

US ARMY

Resting Place

AUBURN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us