The NYC Veterans Oral History Project: Luke Gasparre, Veteran Interview

Brief Biography:

Luke Gasparre recorded his oral history on March 27th, 2013 at his home in Astoria, NY. Mr. Gasparre served in the Army during World War II.  A veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Metz, and postwar employee of the New York Mets, Mr. Gasparre tells a story of a trasfer that saved his skin, and how his entire unit abandoned him and left him to die in the mountains of Germany.  The scarf Mr. Gasparre is holding in the picture above is the scarf his sister knit for him upon entering the service. This is the scarf Mr. Gasparre kept tied around his face to keep from freezing to death those fateful days searching for fellow Americans in enemy territory.  Mr. Gasparre tells a one of a kind story of surival and gives first person accounts of one of the most decisive battles in American military history, the Battle of the Bulge.  These days Mr. Gasparre can be found watching over Citi Field during Mets home games. 

Major Points in Interview:

1:32 - Luke Gasparre tells a story about the 66th Black Panther Division

5:10 - Mr. Gasparre talks about a moment when he was injured in the war

11:46 - Finding Americans who rescue him

15:30 - A return to civilian life

17:40 - Mr. Gasparre talks about his tap dance talent

23:00 - Consequences of the 87th Division leaving Mr. Gasparre

23:37 - Story that occurred when Mr. Gasparre was in Belgium

25:50 - How Mr. Gasparre got involved with the New York Mets

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