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| Sgt. Albert Nassi served as a B-24 radio operator until his bomber crash landed near Lavenham Airfield in England. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71858832/albert-phillip-nassi/photo |
Albert Phillip Nassi never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 26, 1919 in Worcester, Massachusetts. His parents Thomas and Olympia were both born in what became Albania. They immigrated to America in 1911 and 1917, respectively. His father worked as a band leader and later as a music teacher. He played the flute in the Boston Symphony. Albert had two younger sisters. The family spent part of Albert's childhood in Albania where his father toured with his band. By the mid 1930's Thomas was teaching music in Massachusetts public schools. By 1940 Albert had completed three years of college at Rollins College in Florida. He was an accomplished violinist from age 11.
He volunteered for the Army Air Corps Reserves in June 1940 and was called to active duty in 1943. He became trained as a radio operator by December 1943. He eventually became a sergeant in the 838th Bombardment Squadron, 487th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force which was equipped with B-24 Liberators.
Sgt. Nassi arrived in England on June 21, 1944. On July 17, 1944, Sgt. Nassi's plane (42-52581) was part of a successful mission to destroy a bridge at Gien, France. While in its landing pattern after returning to base, the number 2 engine failed. The pilots were unable to maintain altitude and control and the plane crash landed near Lavenham Airfield. Sgt. Nassi was killed in the crash, one other crewman died of injuries, but the other eight men survived with serious injuries.
His grave is at Orleans Cemetery in East Orleans, Massachusetts. There is a small traffic island in Orleans named in his honor.
EDWARD BROOKE
Edward Brooke was born in Washington DC on the same day as Albert Nassi, but he would make a name for himself in Nassi's home state of Massachusetts. He graduated from a prestigious academic high school for African Americans and went on to graduate from Brown University.
He volunteered for the army immediately after Pearl Harbor. He became a captain in the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment where he earned the Bronze Star while in combat in Italy.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Brooke |
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. He died in 2015 at age 95. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Last year on this date I profiled West Point graduate and Distinguished Flying Cross hero John Ford, a P-38 pilot. You can read about John here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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