Many first learned about the intense, gruesome nature of World War II by watching the harrowing opening combat scene in the recent movie, Saving Private Ryan, but for lifetime Port resident Anthony Defeo, the D-Day battle was real. As part of the 348th Combat Engineers, he landed on Omaha Beach, charged with the responsibility of building docks and roads and transporting supplies to the troops, while under intense fire. It is thanks to Anthony Defeo and men as heroic as he, that this battle was won, and to recognize and honor him for his part, he has been named Grand marshal of Port's 1999 Memorial Day Parade.

Just two months after graduating from high school in 1943, Anthony entered the Army, and after basic training, he received additional instruction to become an amphibious combat engineer. He sailed out of Nova Scotia on the HMS Mauritania, filled with about 5,000 other soldiers and packed with equipment, bound for England. A fast ship, the Mauritania was able to outmaneuver Hitler's U-boats. Once in England and then Wales, the soldiers saw firsthand the widespread destruction inflicted by Hitler's air force, the Lutfwaffe. Anthony and other soldiers began to prepare for the D-Day invasion, which would mean sailing from England to Normandy, France.

Anthony explained that the invading ships were turned back on June 5, 1944 because of rough waters; but the D-Day invasion proceeded on June 6, 1944 and his outfit, under the command of General Omar Bradley's First Army, landed on Omaha Beach, which was coded "Fox Green." The battle was vicious. Tony explained that the "Germans had everything zeroed in. If you ran for cover, you'd never get out of there." Tony's unit, assigned to build docks, roads, and whatever was needed to keep supplies moving, had to put down steel matting so the tanks and trucks, loaded with equipment, would not sink or get stuck in the soft sand. Navy Seals had to go beneath the huge battleships to set up equipment that would remove the mines that were sure to explode when triggered by the incoming ships. Under heavy fire, and with great losses, Anthony's outfit, using land and sea crafts, had to keep supplies moving from ship to dock once a beachhead was established. "There is no easy job in war," Anthony states in his modest fashion.

He was also in the Ardennes Campaign, the breakthrough battle in Belgium. Attached to the 28th Infantry Division, Anthony drove supplies to the 101st Airborne who were trapped in Belgium, without supplies. Bringing the supplies was extremely hazardous. "The Germans changed road signs to confuse us, and dressed as American soldiers while their guns were strapped to their backs," he said, so no one could be trusted. The German soldiers spoke perfect English too, he mentions, and found out the passwords. it became necessary to ask them details about American life, like baseball scores. On one occasion, Anthony's semi-truck broke down as he tried to deliver supplies to the trapped 101st Airborne. Waiting for a unit to assist him, Anthony was found by a master sergeant, who was none other than another Port Washington resident, Chappy Miller.

After surviving the D-Day Invasion and the Ardennes Campaign, Anthony sustained injuries in a terrible twist of fate: an overwrought soldier cracked, and threw a hand grenade into a group of GIs, injuring all of them. After a stay in the hospital to remove the shrapnel from his leg, he was flown to the outskirts of Berlin. Here he was stationed during the Potsdam Conference.

Though the war had ended, danger still lurked everywhere. The Russians, desperate for supplies, tried to stop American convoys for their goods. Anthony, though, would not be deterred; he once had his hand on his .45 caliber pistol as he faced a menacing Russian, and explained that he was getting through with his supplies one way or another. His opponent slowly backed off. Even the trip home to the United States, which began on Christmas Day, 1945, was fraught with danger. Minesweepers had to check every port, and emergency repairs to the ship included fixing a massive hole in the ship's bow, Anthony recalls.

After serving his country, Anthony returned to his hometown of Port Washington. He was the produce manager for A&P until he retired in 1990, having worked for the supermarket since 1942. He also served as a special police officer and special sergeant for the PW Police District.

Anthony has received numerous medals and citations for his service. He is the recipient of two medals from the French government; one is the Jubilee of Liberty, presented for the Normandy Invasion. He has also been awarded the U.S. Victory Medal, three U.S. battle stars/ribbons for three different campaigns, and the Good Conduct Medal. He will be receiving the Croix de Guerre from the French Government later this year. He has belonged to the American Legion Post 509 for 31 years, is a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1819 of Port Washington, and belongs to the 348th Army Engineers Association, his highly decorated outfit. Anthony goes to his army reunion each year. Of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, Anthony reflects: "People should remember the sacrifices made by so many in the war. A lot of young men are in cemeteries who we should remember."

Anthony still lives in the house in which he grew up. He and his wife Josephine have one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren. Daughter Maria Cannella and her husband Charlie have three children: Christine, Michael, and Jennifer. One son is Anthony Jr.; son Augustine (Augie) Defeo is married to the former Barbara Pelligrino, and their children are Amanda and Matthew. All are incredibly proud of Anthony. Twelve-year-old grandson Michael, with a huge smile, said, "We are very happy and excited. We are all so proud of him." Maria agreed, saying "It is a big honor - once in a lifetime," and Augie added, "we are very proud of him." As are the people of this town, and so many others, who are so grateful for his selflessness, courage, and service to the nation. Thank you, Anthony Defeo.