Ocean City to Honor WWII Vet on Thursday and Saturday

The public is invited to join City Council in recognizing the service of World War II veteran Joe Caserta at council's meeting 7 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 7) at the Ocean City Free Public Library.

Council will approve a resolution honoring Caserta for his heroism in the Battle of the Bulge.

Caserta will be the guest of honor two days later at an open house at American Legion Post 524 at 3304 Bay Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. Mayor Jay Gillian will honor him with a proclamation at that time. The public is invited to attend but is asked to contact the American Legion so it can plan for the event.

Caserta, 91, an Ocean City resident since 1987, will be honored for receiving the insignia of the Legion of Honor in gratitude for his contribution to the liberation of France during World War II, an award also recently bestowed upon another Ocean City veteran, George Fulton.

Caserta served in northern France as a tank driver, landing in Normandy two weeks after D-Day. He received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service in the Battle of the Bulge — cranking the turret out of the way so another driver could escape a burning tank and later suffering a shrapnel wound.

Caserta would receive the medals of honor for his bravery, but his immediate reward: a promotion to sergeant and tank commander ... and service for the remainder of the war. (Read more about Caserta.)

The Legion of Honor is the highest decoration awarded by France.