CALL-TO-SERVICE By, CJ Machado
“Geronimo!” exclaimed WWII paratrooper
Vincent J. Speranza as he jumped out of the aircraft with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Tandem Parachute Team. After many months of preparation, Speranza’s monumental jump took place on September 29, 2020 during the Golden Knights Tandem Camp at Skydive Perris in Perris, CA.
He served as a Machine Gunner in the historic “Battle of the Bulge,” earning him the nickname “Curse and Traverse” Speranza. Although Speranza has shared many incredible stories, he’s best known for his “Airborne Beer” story when he served a wounded comrade beer from his helmet that was taken from a nearby bombed tavern. Speranza’s Airborne Beer story can be seen in the documentary LIBERTAS (Normandy Jump 2019) or read in his book “NUTS!”
The Golden Knights are one of only three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams, along with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The U.S. Army Golden Knights tandem camp is a community outreach program that gives public influencers and educators an experience of a lifetime, while informing the public of the opportunities available within the U.S. Army. At 95 years of age, the “Battle of the Bulge” 101st Airborne Division paratrooper Vincent J. Speranza was called to service once more. This time, not to “Save the world,” but to inspire the masses. It was CW5 (Chief) Troy DeGolyer, Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command that initiated the tandem jump with the WWII “Screaming Eagle” and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. In February, 2020, Speranza and DeGolyer met at a formal event in Fort Benning, Georgia, hosted by the United States Army Marksmanship Unit. Speranza was the keynote speaker and DeGolyer was one of the distinguished guests. After listening to Speranza’s engaging speech and wartime stories, DeGolyer was moved to pay tribute to Speranza. He nominated Speranza for the thrill of a lifetime, to jump once more with the most elite parachutists of the world, the U.S. Army Golden Knights tandem team. From the start, the Golden Knights were supportive and enthusiastic about jumping a WWII “Screaming Eagle” Paratrooper. Speranza was with the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
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Being that Speranza was 95 years of age, the Golden Knights took every precaution necessary to ensure a safe jump and landing. With over 6,000 jumps and 2,000 tandem jumps, the lead tandem instructor for the U.S. Golden Knights, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Sloan was chosen to jump Vincent. “It was an important opportunity to honor and remember a member of the “Greatest Generation,” expressed SFC Sloan.