Not solely did World Warfare II veteran Dominic Bersani have fun turning 99 years previous on Nov. 20, however the former Navy Seabee obtained birthday surprises he’ll seemingly always remember.
Bersani, from East Greenbush, New York, was given an honorary diploma from Columbia Excessive College and army medals throughout an occasion held by the Rev. Francis A. Kelley Army Honor Society and the Lois Wilson Memorial Breakfast Membership on the Melvin Roads American Legion Publish. He served as a fireman firstclass through the battle.
Bersani obtained his diploma from the Operation Recognition Program, a undertaking that helps veterans who by no means accomplished their highschool training attributable to becoming a member of the service lastly obtain their long-overdue diplomas. He’s now a proud graduate of Columbia Excessive’s Class of 2025. He joined fellow veteran Abram Seeberger, 88, of Schodack, New York, who additionally obtained an honorary diploma earlier within the 12 months.
A number of distinguished veterans and veteran advocates attended the ceremony, together with Kelley Society spokesman Tom Mullins, a army historian who presided over the occasion.
New York State Sen. Jacob Ashby, veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, awarded Bersani the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, World Warfare II Victory Medal and the American Marketing campaign Medal, and browse a proclamation to the Navy veteran.
As well as, retired Marine Sgt. Ken Wells handed Bersani his Navy Good Conduct Medal, Chilly Warfare Commemorative Medal and Nationwide Protection Service Medal.
Leaving College to Serve
Not keen on teachers, Bersani left college in eighth grade whereas attending Norridgewock Junior Excessive College in Maine.
“I didn’t like French classes a lot that on my final day of faculty, I threw the textbook down and stop college,” Bersani instructed the Albany-Occasions Union. “I instantly went to work in a shoe manufacturing facility.”
After spending a number of years gluing soles to the underside of footwear, Bersani joined the Navy. America had entered World Warfare II, and he felt obligated to serve.
“The day I turned 17, I joined the Navy,” Bersani mentioned.
Japanese forces had been profitable battles within the Pacific and getting dangerously near U.S. soil. After Japan captured Attu and Kiska within the Aleutian Islands in late spring 1943, each the U.S. and Canada despatched troops to drive out the Rising Solar.
A part of the Seabees, Bersani was despatched to Adak Island to assemble a staging space full with air bases, forts, and deep-water ports to help in protection methods to thwart Japanese forces from the string of islands off the southern coast of Alaska. Powered by 35,000 U.S. and Canadian troops, the allied forces drove out about 9,000 Japanese troopers.
The Seabees, Naval Development Battalions, had been important through the Second World Warfare, setting up army infrastructure and lending a hand in fight missions all through each the Pacific and European theaters. The Seabees’ motto is “Can Do!” and members actually lived as much as it through the battle.
Navy Calls Once more
After the battle, Bersani served within the Aleutians till he obtained an honorable discharge in 1946. He got here dwelling to Maine and his job within the shoe manufacturing facility.
Bersani reenlisted within the Navy in 1949 and was promoted to ship serviceman third class. He was stationed in Florida the place he labored on fixing and delivery touchdown crafts off to the Navy through the Korean Warfare.
With Chilly Warfare tensions on the rise, Bersani was deployed to missions in Cuba and the Caribbean in 1954 earlier than receiving one other honorable discharge.
Following his army profession, Bersani turned a bridge builder, working for Cinbro Development in Maine. He later retired and relocated to East Greenbush. Seven a long time faraway from the service, Bersani continues to be energetic in native veterans teams.
