Decorated Irondequoit World War II Veteran Promotes National Guard Soldiers Saturday at Warplanes Museum

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GENESEO, N.Y. (10/10/2014)(readMedia)-- A 93-year old World War II veteran of the New York Army National Guard's 108th Infantry Regiment will preside at the promotion of 11 members of Company A, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The company will conduct a three-mile tactical road march from the Geneseo Armory to the Museum prior to the promotion ceremony. Members of the press are invited to attend.

WHO: 80 Members of Company A, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry-based at the Geneseo Armory-and retired New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph McManus, an Irondequoit resident and holder of two Bronze Stars for Valor.

WHAT: A tactical road march from the Armory to the National Warplane Museum followed by the promotion of 11 unit members at an event presided over by retired Lt. Col. Joseph McManus, who joined the 108th Infantry Regiment in 1939, was mobilized with the unit in 1940 and then went on to serve as an officer in the 84th Infantry Division in Europe in World War II.

WHEN: Noon on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 (Soldiers will begin marching from the Armory at 11 a.m.)

WHERE: National Warplane Museum, 3489 Big Tree Lane, Geneseo, NY 14454

For More information contact Sgt 1st Class Michael Hoffmann, (585)-243-2564 EXT 3680

Coverage Opportunities:

Video and still imagery of the Soldiers marching into the National Warplanes Museum and information. Soldiers will be in full field gear without weapons. Lt. Col. McManus, company leaders, and unit members will be available for interviews.

Background

Lt. Col. Joseph McManus

McManus joined the New York Army National Guard in February of 1938 as a private in Company H, 108th Infantry Regiment which drilled at the East Main Street Armory in Rochester, N.Y. In October of 1940 the New York National Guard's 27th Division was mobilized, along with National Guard units across the United States, as the country responded to the German victory over France in May 1940 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt began preparing the United States for war.

The 27th Division Soldiers trained at Fort McClellan, Alabama and after Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, the division was sent to Hawaii to help defend that vital outpost. Along the way the 108th Regiment was charged with defending Hollywood and Beverly Hills from a Japanese invasion, if one had occurred.

McManus was assigned the job of Company H. 1st Sgt, responsible for the day-to-day organization of the company while the unit was in Hawaii.

McManus was selected to attend Officer Candidate School and after being commissioned as a second lieutenant he was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division as an infantry officer. The 84th Division landed in Europe in November of 1944 and McManus and his men were in company for 170 days, fighting in the Roer Valley and in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. The division crossed the Rhine and linked up with Russian troops coming from the east in May of 1945 just before the end of the war in Europe.

During his service McManus was awarded two Bronze Star Medals with V for valor, Device the European-Middle Eastern-African Campaign Medal with three battle stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the American Defense Medal, the Occupation Medal-Germany and the World War II Victory Medal. He also earned the right to wear the Combat Infantryman's Badge, which is awarded to Infantry Soldiers who serve in combat.

After World War II, McManus rejoined the New York Army National Guard in Rochester and served in leadership and command positions with the 898th, 127th, and 106th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalions, as well as the 270th Armored Field Artillery Battalion.

In March 1953, Rochester Civil War veteran James Hard died at 111: the last known Union Army combat veteran of the war. Hard formed his battalion up in the middle of the day and marched the men down East Main St. to honor Hard's service.

McManus retired after 26 years in the military. In civilian life he worked for the General Railway Signal Company, retiring as vice president of human resources.

Promoted Soldiers:

Soldiers being promoted on Saturday are:

• Sgt. Stephen Kim of Harrison, New York, to Staff Sgt;

• Specialist Nathan Berry of Alden, New York, to Sgt;

• Specialist Brandon McGregor, Brandon of Hornell, New York, to Sgt;

• Specialist Joseph Liotino of Elmira, New York, to Sgt.

• Specialist Ryan Dibble of Rochester, New York, to Sgt;

• Private Darren Lofton from Rochester, New York, to Pfc.;

• Private Drew Lord, of Wayland, New York, to Pfc.;

• Private Jonathan Beaudin, of Niagara Falls, New York, to Pfc.;

• Private Nelson Ortiz from Rochester, New York, to Pfc. ;

• Private Jose Grullon of Cheektowaga, New York, to Private;

• And Private William Sotorivera of Rochester, New York, to Private.

Company A, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry

Company A of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry of the New York Army National Guard is a light infantry company headquartered at the New York State Armory in Geneseo.

The 108th Infantry Regiment was first formed in 1898 and has been in continuous service in the New York Army National Guard since 1907. The unit was originally known as the 3rd Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard when it was organized for service in the Spanish American War. During World War I it was renumbered the 108th Infantry Regiment in federal service and kept that designation.

During World War I the unit fought in Flanders as part of the 27th Division which was one of two American divisions serving with the British Army.

During World War II the regiment was again mobilized with the 27th Division. But when the Army reduced the number of regiments in each division from four to three the 108th was assigned to the 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard.

The 108th Infantry fought on New Britain, and in the Philippines Islands of Luzon, Leyte, and Mindanao during World War II.

In 2004 the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry deployed to Iraq under the command of the 1st Infantry Division. Four of the battalion's Soldiers died during the deployment. In 2012 the battalion deployed to Afghanistan.