(EAST BOSTON – December 11, 2025) This is an incredibly moving and historic journey — one of several organized by local East Boston veteran Andrew Biggio. Seven WWII veterans, now in their late 90s or beyond, have returned to the battlefields where they fought over 80 years ago. This may well be among the final opportunities for living witnesses to revisit these hallowed grounds.
Consider the breadth of their experiences during the Big One by breaking down their combat roles. First there are the ground warriors. Andrew Bostinto and Christy Fier both served in the 26th “Yankee” Division and endured the brutal Battle of the Bulge. Russell Sattazahn, who paid an enormous price losing his arm at Uckerath. Second there are those who landed on Omaha Beach. Bill Glaspie (468th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion) who landed on Omaha Beach. And then there is Dale Noble, a paratrooper who jumped into both Market Garden and held the line at Bastogne. Third were the airmen: Lester Schrenk, a bomber crewman shot down over Germany who survived both a POW camp and the horrific “Death March” and Joe Peterburs, the last living WWII fighter ace and a Stalag III escapee.
Andrew Biggio’s work documenting and honoring these veterans of the Greatest Generation through The Rifle series has been extraordinary, and this journey – bringing them back to walk the ground where they fought, bled, and watched friends fall – is profoundly meaningful.
Mr. Biggio would like to thank Kelly Injury Lawyers for their generous sponsorship.
Editor’s Note: This article was revised, 12/12/2025
