Veterans Spotlight - Narcheeso “Cheeso” Massaconi

2020-04-23T09:51:57-04:00

Narcheeso “Cheeso” Massaconi served his country admirably in the United States Army from 1942 – 1945. “We didn’t have much, but we made the most of what we had” said the 97-year old WWII veteran. “I asked my father for a nickel to get some ice cream once….he looked at me and said, ‘you wanna’ eat supper tonite, don’t you?” he said with a chuckle. He also had two brothers that served in the Army; Mike (who was at The Battle of The Bulge) and Pete.

Drafted right after Christmas in 1942, the 18 year-old Massaconi was sent to Fort Eustis in Richmond, VA then to the Pacific Theater. His assignments would include Pearl Harbor (before the Japanese bombing), The Battle of Saipan and Iwo Jima, which he described as “Hell on Earth.” I asked him about Iwo Jima and it brought back many memories, most of them not good. “The Japanese had big guns in the tunnels on Mount Sirabachi that came out on tracks. They unloaded on us…..we were sittin’ ducks” he recalled. I asked him if he was ever scared and he didn’t hold back – “I was no hero….too god damn scared to even eat….we worried about staying alive….If you wanted to die, get out of your foxhole at night” he remembered. Was it tough being away during Christmas I asked? “It was kind of sad. I just wanted to get the war over with and get back home and go to work” he said.

While on Iwo Jima Corporal Massaconi shared a powerful story. “We had to dig foxholes….there was a black unit with us that didn’t want to dig foxholes….instead, they set up tents…..we warned them how dangerous it was….the Japanese staged a sneak attack one night and went right down the line, throwing grenades into the tents….killed everyone” he said shaking his head. He continued, “I’ll tell ya’ one thing, whoever trained our German Shepard dogs did a helluva’ job. When the Japanese killed a dog, we buried’em just like we would one of our soldiers….boy, they were good dogs…..Iwo Jima….there wasn’t a battle like it. In Europe, you always knew where the enemy was and who you were fighting…..not at Iwo Jima…..you never knew where the god damn enemy was….Japanese attacked when you were the most vulnerable” he remembered.

Corporal Massaconi also said the evil’s of war bring out the worst in people. “We had this dentist….he would sneak out at night and pull the teeth of the dead Japanese to get the gold fillings….bodies were decaying….maggots all over’em…..they finally told him to knock it off….we had no sterilization at Iwo…..those same damn pliers he was using on us” he said, sadly shaking his head. I asked him if he had a mentor overseas or looked up to anyone. “The only guy I ever looked up to was Joe Dimaggio” he said with a smile.

His thoughts on his service? “I loved my country and wanted to do what’s right….think we did ok….still can see my mother crying saying, ‘you no go…stay home and help the family’ he remembered, looking off in the distance. This remarkable 97 year-old man (soon to be 98) still works in his gardens and this past year went out and enjoyed his passion for deer, rabbit and pheasant hunting. Corporal Massaconi is also a distinguished member of the National UNICO Hall of Fame. Cheeso Massaconi, thank for your service to our great country.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 23 at 2020 9:53 AM

2020-04-23T09:53:54-04:00

Thank you for the great share Wayne

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 23 at 2020 10:02 AM

2020-04-23T10:02:10-04:00

Amazing story. Thanks for the share. So many of them downplay what they did.

Response by SPC William Blaisdell made Apr 23 at 2020 11:08 AM

2020-04-23T11:08:20-04:00

Great article as always, Wayno. So happy and excited to see that you’ve gone national. I am honored and proud to be your friend.Blais

Response by SSG Chad Henning made Apr 23 at 2020 11:29 AM

2020-04-23T11:29:52-04:00

Outstanding story. Thanks for the insight.

Response by SFC Benjamin (Benny) Boyles made Apr 23 at 2020 9:02 PM

2020-04-23T21:02:20-04:00

Thank you for the amazing account of what it was like in those days.

Response by SFC Herve Abrams made Apr 24 at 2020 9:35 AM

2020-04-24T09:35:40-04:00

Salute

Response by SP5 Jerry Mucha made Apr 24 at 2020 6:33 PM

2020-04-24T18:33:56-04:00

I had a father in law (Glenn Taylor} who was in the Pacific theater and worked with his dog. He stated his dog saved his life many times. He started by training dogs for use by other soldiers being deployed. When he got his orders to ship out, he said he went to the pound and picked out the only dog he couldn't get close to. The reson was he knew he could get the dogs confidence and trust, but with this dog, he didn't have to worry about other soldiers trying to make a pet out of him, he was already mean. He wanted the dog to obey him alone instantly. He was in a lot over there, he said him and his dog went on almost all the patrols because they wanted his dog on patrol. He never mentioned any details about what he went through but he was hospitalized and shipped home and was one of the very few who was allowed to take his dog home with him to Wisc. The local VA cemetery there has a marker for his dog. Glenn was an excellent animal trainer, he loved them very much and they loved him. He could train any animal to do what he wanted. I saw his yearling colt lay down, roll over and get up and give him a kiss on command. He loved that colt, 3/4 Arabian, more than his dogs if possible. Another WW11 hero who fought his demons he encountered in the Pacific until he died of kidney failure. RIP Glenn

Response by Maj Scott Kiger, M.A.S. made Apr 25 at 2020 1:28 AM

2020-04-25T01:28:57-04:00

Great story

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Apr 25 at 2020 9:10 PM

2020-04-25T21:10:54-04:00

Wayne Soares You have an awesome family history and should be proud of the sacrifices they made for all of us and the world! If you get a chance, and you remember, tell Vorporl Massaconi that this old, retired, MSgt thanks him and is proud to know that there were men of his caliber, courage, and commitment at a time when the world needed him!

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Apr 26 at 2020 10:45 AM

2020-04-26T10:45:03-04:00

Great post!

Response by SMSgt Robert Anderson made Apr 28 at 2020 11:38 PM

2020-04-28T23:38:57-04:00

There were many more men like this gentleman that saved the world.

Response by PO3 Julie Whipple made May 1 at 2020 7:27 AM

2020-05-01T07:27:28-04:00

Fort Eustis isn't in Richmond, VA it'sin Newport News, VA

Response by Wayne Soares made May 6 at 2020 7:01 PM

2020-05-06T19:01:48-04:00

Thank you!

Response by SPC John Swann made May 23 at 2020 8:48 AM

2020-05-23T08:48:49-04:00

My oldest brother serviced at both Saipan and Iwo Jima. Thank you for your service !

Response by SGT Paul Turnbull made Jul 20 at 2020 1:41 PM

2020-07-20T13:41:03-04:00

Truly the greatest generation, I have nothing but respect for each and every one of them.

Response by MAJ Ewald Coet made Nov 1 at 2021 3:54 PM

2021-11-01T15:54:56-04:00

Loved this amazing story. Thanks for sharing.