Nick A. Stiso: Growing Up Quickly

By Donna Pacanowski, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interviews Volunteer

 Nick A. Stiso is a lifelong resident of Chicago, born on April 24, 1927 in Bridgeport. He was the “baby” of a large Italian family, with an older brother and six sisters. Their parents had immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s, unable to speak, read, or write English. His parents made sure that the family always “had enough.” Nick never felt that the family was poor or they were missing out on anything. His parents always said to the children, “Better we cry now, than you cry later.” His parents were self-taught in English and the family spoke only English at home, with his parents only reverting to their native Italian to keep the children in the dark. Nick described his family life as “surrounded by love,” and his sister, Stella, told him that if he wanted to meet girls, learn to dance. So, she taught him the latest dances. 

As World War II loomed, the draft began in earnest. Nick’s brother, John, enlisted, and the husbands of three of his sisters were drafted. John took young Nick aside, and his message to Nick was clear: “Don’t be in a hurry to volunteer. Our mother needs you at home. She would be shattered if you enlisted.” His brother-in-law, James Pawlik, landed on D-Day as a member of the 29th Infantry Division and in October 1944, he was killed in action. The family was devastated; Nick’s sister, Lucy, was a widow with a small child. 

By early 1945, the military demanded further manpower for the anticipated invasion of Japan. Exceptions from the draft tightened, and age requirements were lowered. In May, Nick, who was a senior at Lindbloom High School—two months and a couple of credits short of graduation and just weeks after his 18th birthday—received the letter: “Greetings.” Nick was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Sheridan, IL. Although he stopped his schooling, Lindbloom later recognized Nick’s military service as his missing credits and mailed him a diploma.

Nick was growing up in a hurry! He had never traveled any farther then Starved Rock, and now he began a journey that would take him halfway across the globe. For the first time, he was alone among strangers, away from his family and on his own. That first night at Fort Sheridan, Nick slept on the floor along with many others because beds numbered far fewer than recruits assigned to the barracks. The following day, a train transported the recruits to Camp Lee, VA for Basic Training. Afterwards, the Army assigned Nick to Ordnance School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In August 1945, the detonation of two atom bombs forced the Japanese to surrender. The war was over! He shared the jubilation with fellow trainees who were now expecting to be sent home. The Army had other plans. 

The Army would draw down to peacetime strength, and occupation forces would replace combat troops. There was much to be done in the aftermath of the war: securing, rebuilding, creating goodwill, and getting the world back on its feet. Bubble gum, chocolate bars and smiles were the new weapons. After a short leave at home, Nick reported to Fort Jackson, SC for transportation to Europe by ship. The five-day voyage ended in Le Havre, France. The new troops transferred to box cars for the overnight train ride to the Port of Bremerhaven where Nick was assigned to H.Q. Co., 17^th Port Ordnance. His unit was billeted at quarters previously occupied by German U-boat crews. 

Nick’s mission was the preparation of privately owned vehicles for safe shipment to the U.S. or preparation of vehicles arriving in Europe. Personal property could be shipped because Europe was no longer a war zone, but the vehicles needed preparation. A GI could buy a surplus Jeep for $200, have the Jeep fixed up and modified by a German mechanic, then shipped home at the end of the GI’s tour. Nick made sure that all vehicles met safety requirements before loading aboard ship.

 Three other Chicago guys were in the unit; this link bound them as friends from the beginning. One close friend, Luigi Mendocino, later became an award winning Chicago Tribune photographer. After returning to Chicago, Nick even introduced Luigi to his future wife, and they remained lifelong friends.

When off-duty, Nick and friends went to local dances. Once the German girls learned the Jitterbugged, he became the most popular guy there. Stella was right! In the summer of 1946, Nick used a week’s furlough to visit Rome. The roundtrip train ticket, including an overnight stay at Lucerne, Switzerland cost $50. In Rome, Nick and his friends stayed at a hotel with a view of one of Mussolini’s villas. They visited St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and toured other sights of the city. They attended an audience with Pope Pius XII. The Pontiff welcomed them, spoke to them individually, and blessed everyone. The 19-year-old Nick was awed and humbled by all he saw in Rome. His only disappointment: he was restricted to Rome and could not visit his parent’s village. 

In October 1946, Nick’s enlistment was up, so he sailed to New Jersey for his final discharge at Fort Dix. The Army required him to return all military gear except two dress uniforms—one to wear and a spare—his duffel bag and personal effects. He received $200 and money for a train ticket home. He had left Chicago barely 18 months before as a naive teenager but returned home a discipled young man. 

 Nick relearned civilian life, reacquainted with old friends, and rejoiced with his family. Next he went looking for a job and one response was from Peoples Gas. When the interviewer saw he was 19 years old, he questioned Nick’s military service and demanded proof. Nick presented his discharge paper and the interviewer was impressed and amazed. Peoples Gas offered him the job where he remained for the next 43 years. 

Nick, along with his friends, enjoyed dances at the Trianon, the Aragon, O’Henry’s and best of all, Viking Ballroom where Nick met the lovely Adele. After a short courtship, they were married and had a son and a daughter. Adele passed away in 1967. Nick was now a single dad after 16 years. A few years later, Stella called Nick to her salon, Fair Lady Beauty Salon, on the pretext that they had no hot water. He rush right over, but Nick told Stella that he couldn’t find a problem. She said, “Oh well. Since you’re here, I want you to meet one of my customers.” Stella introduced Nick to Ann Marie, and they soon married. The family grew from Nick’s two children to include an additional four children with Ann Marie. Nick and Ann Marie recently celebrated 49 years of marriage. Their three sons and three daughters have blessed them with 14 grandchildren, 12 boys and two girls. So his grandchildren would know the “olden times,” Nick wrote a private memoir about his life without TV, A/C, cable, DVD’s, iPhones, and the internet. 

Nick, we honor you for your service and sacrifice in World War II. On behalf of Honor Flight Chicago, we wish you a memorable trip to Washington D.C.