EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Merrimack Valley

Andover veterans honored with book of war stories

By Brian Messenger
bmessenger@eagletribune.com
Published: November 10, 2009

ANDOVER — With his wounds in a mortar attack still fresh, Domenic Mariano carried another injured soldier on his back for several miles before reaching safety in the forests of Germany.

When a doctor later told him that he should return to the United States so his arm and hand injuries could heal, Mariano instead fought to return to his platoon.

After two months of training, he did just that.

Mariano, of Andover, received a Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered on Dec. 2, 1944, during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.

The former machine-gunner in the U.S. Army's 46th Armored Infantry Regiment has a remarkable war story, but he is not alone in Andover.

Tomorrow, decorated World War II and Korean War veterans will descend upon Ballardvale Green for a Veterans Day ceremony. There, they will be presented with a book they helped create, a collection of war stories told by 29 of Andover's oldest veterans.

Most are in their mid-80s, and all are recipients of military awards that include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.

Andover Veteran Services Director Michael Burke said three of the 29 veterans interviewed by volunteers for the book project earlier this year have since died.

"It's so important to get these stories while we can," said Burke.

Titled "Heroes Among Us," the roughly 80-page book was put together by Burke and a group of volunteers, many of them also veterans.

"They've been open with us," said Burke. "They were more than willing to talk to someone that was like them. There was some shared experience."

Burke said many of the stories the veterans shared for the book they've never even told to their wives or other family members.

Included is the story of Louis Heliotis, a member of the Army's 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, who was captured by German soldiers and held for more than a month.

While a prisoner, his German captors were attacked by an American fighter plane and Heliotis was hit by "friendly fire" in the left leg and lower back. He later received a Purple Heart after he was freed by American forces in early 1945.

Frank Miniscalco, a paratrooper with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, also shares his story in "Heroes Among Us."

Miniscalco's first combat jump was over Normandy, France. He was wounded twice in battle and received a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star.

Despite the dramatic details of their past, Burke said it's important to realize that many of yesterday's war heroes have been living normal lives as civilians for decades.

"There are heroes among us," said Burke. "They're in the park or walking their dog in the field or at Market Basket. It's not just someone you see on the TV screen."

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