US AIRBORNE

Joseph Edwin Mero was born on July 20th, 1913 and died in Belgium October 9th, 1944 of his wounds received in Holland during the operation Market Garden.

Joseph is the son of Leon A Mero (who was of French Canadian descent) and of Mary E Keating. The family account 3 children. Joseph is the elder son, comes then Leon M Mero (in July 13th, 1917) and Margaret M Mero. (In November 3rd, 1925)

The family lives in Cedarhurst, Long Island, New York. Joseph will go to the elementary school there. He will be awarded a diploma by St Joachim Cedarhurst's elementary school and then by Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School's secondary school of Brooklyn, New York. After his studies, Joseph joined the society of his dad who was a decorator internal and outside Cedarhurst. In two they based Lamco Supply Co.

Joseph was also a loyal member of the firemen. He was a fireman in Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department until the moment of his commitment to the army. Moreover in its honor, a plate is dedicated to him on the wall of the barracks.

Joseph also wrote some articles in the local everyday daily paper, the "Nassau Herald".

Joe was also very active in the business of the parish writing in particular articles for St Joachim Parish Monthly and he was already a secretary at the age of 18 for the Holy Name Society where he stayed until his commitment.

Finally, Joseph Mero was also Sergeant within the National Guard of New York during several years.

Joseph Mero married May Greller on October 21st, 1937. They had no child. To his close relations Joseph said that he was a young man sound in body and mind and he considered that he had to carry out the duty for his country.

In May or in June, 1942, at the age of 29, Joseph Mero went volunteered for the parachutists.

His sister Margaret had her small idea on reason of this choice.

 “In 1939 the Worlds Fair took place not far from where we lived.  Joe took several people to the Fair. There was a parachute jump there and it fascinated him until he decided to try it. Well, let me tell you.

He went on that jump several times and that's all he talked about while driving home. My opinion is that he had that in mind when he decided on the paratroopers. It really influenced him.”

Margaret was the first one to know that he had gone volunteer for the parachutists:

 “I went to high school out of town and boarded the train to go home. Guess who was on the train? Joseph!! I asked him why he was coming from the city and he handed me the enlistment papers. I was shocked. 

He was on his way home to tell his wife and suggested that I tell mom and dad. I told him "no way". It was up to him. Of course after telling May and came over and told our parents.”

In November, 1942, he is sent to Camp Upton of Long Island. Then, it was Camp Toccoa in Georgia, Fort Benning in Georgia and finally the Camp Mackall in North Carolina.

Joseph E Mero was Technician 4th Rank. He served within the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Headquarter Company of the 2nd Battalion, 101^st Airborne Division.

In January, 1944, the Joseph’s unit sent to England. He will park to the Camp Myles Standish.

Joseph spent free time to write to his family, his parents, his sister, his brother, his wife.

Joseph Mario participated in the invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944 He in it rereleased without any wound. Then he parked in England before jumping on the Holland.

His sister Margaret participated in numerous meeting of 501^st PIR’s veteran. So, she has few to learn circumstance of the death of her brother:

 “A trooper, Sam Pope, told me of the day before Joe was wounded in Holland. The troops were unable to locate the position the Germans were firing from.

Sam said that Joe grabbed his binoculars and headed towards a windmill. He said they were all yelling at him not to do what he was planning. He didn't listen. He climbed up on the windmill and was able to locate the German position so his act paid off successfully. His name, along with others, is engraved on the wall in the windmill.

The following day, September 24, 1944, while he was in a foxhole with 3 other men, flak burst over their heads. The other two men were okay but Joseph was seriously wounded. He was in a field hospital for a while and eventually moved to a hospital in Belgium.  He died in that hospital and his name is there also.”

It is only in December, 44 when his wife learnt the news of his death arisen on October 9th, 1944. In one of his last letters, he says to his wife that he was going to be moved in a hospital in England and that he would be in the United States for Christmas.

Originally, his body was buried in Belgium but he was repatriated in the United States in June, 1946. He rests now to the Long Island National Cemetery of Pinelawn, Long Island, New York.

He had the honor to be buried in the chapel. The cemetery was recent and the not totally finished chapel when 9 bodies of American soldiers fallen during the war was interred. Joseph being the most graded, it is him who had the honor.

His wife joined him there 5 years ago of that.

His sister Margaret received the letters which he had sent to the time. 10 letters were never opened. It is with one of his that she opened them for the first time last year. With her children and grand children, she maintains the memory of her brother.