#VeteranOfTheDay Sidney Fleischer

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Corps Veteran Sidney Fleischer. Sidney served during World War II from January 1942 to May 1945 under Gen. George Patton, Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and Gen. Mark Clark.

Sidney attended Boston University until World War II began when he decided to enlist. He served in the Army’s 12th and 15th Air Force. Originally, Sidney was trained as an aircraft mechanic, but worked as a gunner on a B-17 bomber flying air support in Italy and North Africa. Sidney was part of the North African campaign throughout Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in Operation Torch, and was then attached to the 15th Air Force throughout Sicily, Naples, Arno, Po Valley and Rome. He also worked with the 5th Bomb Wing. Sidney is the recipient of eight battle stars.

Sidney recalls a stop in Italy where he attended a church with pigeons in the rafters. He and his fellow airmen were hungry, so they climbed up and grabbed the pigeons and ate well for days. Now, he carries bread with him so he can feed Boston pigeons out of gratitude for when their fellow Italian pigeons fed him.

Upon returning home, Sidney began working in the wholesale shoe business as a salesman and continued until he retired in 2005. He was married in 1955 and has four children and nine grandchildren. On November 30, Sidney celebrated his 100th birthday.

Thank you for your service, Sidney!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.