LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — World Struggle II veteran Onofrio “No-No” Zicari, the last-known D-Day vet in Las Vegas, has died at 102, in response to the Metropolis of Las Vegas.
Storming Omaha Seaside in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, was a reminiscence he did not like to debate.
World Struggle II veteran Onofrio “No-No” Zicari was honored by the Metropolis of Las Vegas Friday, Could 24, 2024, as he ready to return to Normandy, France, for the anniversary of D-Day. (KLAS)
“It was a war, period,” Zicari mentioned. “I don’t like to talk about it, but I’m here.”
These had been his phrases when 8 Information Now spoke with him final 12 months as he ready to return to the positioning for the anniversary of D-Day.
Zicari was described as a nationwide treasure, a hyperlink to a previous when 21-year-old males — and youthful — carried the burden of the world as they fought in opposition to Nazi Germany’s occupation of France. He was drafted on the age of 19.
In 2021, Zicari was awarded the Purple Coronary heart for an harm he obtained as troops went ashore at Omaha Seaside. He fought by means of the wound on the time, however the medal got here seven a long time later.
“During the landing, I caught a piece of shrapnel in my knee,” Zicari mentioned. That might have been the top of his warfare, however he caught with it regardless of an an infection. The wound stayed off the books.
“I said, nah, I’ll stay with my outfit,” Zicari mentioned. He continued on, combating on the Battle of the Bulge.
Onofrio Zicari fought within the D-Day invasion and on the Battle of the Bulge. (KLAS)
And whereas he averted different particulars — “I was just a foot soldier, that’s all” — he had a wall of photographs at house, and named his fellow troopers as he pointed them out within the footage.
The Metropolis of Las Vegas posted this assertion on social media Friday: “We mourn the passing of 102-year-old Onofrio “No-No” Zicari, a local man who was a veteran of the D-Day invasion in World War II and a Purple Heart recipient. One of the last of the Greatest Generation, No-No leaves a proud legacy of protecting our nation and our freedoms.”
In late 2021, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and an Military consultant introduced Zicari with the Purple Coronary heart and likewise named him October’s Citizen of the Month.
The daddy of six mentioned it was his kids who pushed him to pursue the medal. “They felt like I deserved it,” he informed 8 Information Now in an interview.
He recounted his previous as a first-generation American, working as a shoemaker after which as a milkman. Woodworking grew to become a pastime when he moved his household to Las Vegas, and he continued with it at the least into his late 90s.
“I kept at it. Kept me out of the casinos,” he mentioned.
Zicari informed 8 Information Now he had brothers within the Air Pressure and the Navy.
In a social media submit on X, Las Vegas Metropolis Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske, mentioned, “I am heartbroken to share that my dear friend, Private First Class Onofrio “No No” Zicari, has passed away. Earlier this year I was lucky enough to celebrate him when he received France’s highest honor for his bravery on D-Day. To me, he was more than a hero. He was a friend.”
