Nicholas Oresko

Early life

Oresko was born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey, on January 18, 1917. He was of Ukrainian descent and grew up in a working-class community. He enlisted in the Army from Bayonne in March 1942. His early years in New Jersey and his family background shaped his sense of duty and contributed to his later reputation as a determined and level-headed leader in combat.

Military service and Medal of Honor action

During the winter of 1944–1945, Oresko took part in operations in which American forces pushed into German-held areas. On January 23, 1945, he led an assault that neutralized enemy positions that were impeding his unit's advance. Despite facing heavy fire and suffering wounds, he continued to lead, personally destroying hostile emplacements and taking action that allowed his comrades to move forward with fewer casualties. For these deeds he was awarded the Medal of Honor, a recognition reserved for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Later life and recognition

After returning to civilian life, Oresko remained active in veterans' affairs and in events honoring servicemembers. He lived in Cresskill, New Jersey, and was widely respected in his community. Following the death of fellow recipient Barney F. Hajiro in January 2011, Oresko became the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, a distinction noted in public remembrances and media accounts. A school in Bayonne, School #14, was renamed in his honor in July 2010 as a local commemoration of his service.

Death and legacy

Nicholas Oresko died on October 4, 2013, at the age of 96. He passed away while undergoing surgery after suffering a broken femur. The procedure took place in Englewood, New Jersey. His passing prompted reflections on the generation of Americans who served in World War II and on the meaning of individual courage in large-scale conflict.

Notable facts

• Oresko's Medal of Honor recognizes a single-day action in late January 1945 that had immediate tactical impact for his unit.
• He is remembered both for his battlefield bravery and for decades of quiet civic presence after the war.
• Several community honors and commemorations mark his place in local and military history, including the renaming of a Bayonne school in his memory.

References to his life and service appear in military histories, local New Jersey records, and remembrances from veterans' groups. For further reading about his military career and honors, consult military archives and local historical resources.

Bayonne, New Jersey • oldest living Medal of Honor recipient • Cresskill, New Jersey • broken femur • Englewood, New Jersey