WWII Veteran From Bethpage Honored On 100th Birthday

BETHPAGE, NY — Bud Rosch, a World War II veteran and Bethpage resident, recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Rosch beat COVID-19 earlier this year, and he also survived getting shot down by enemy fire during a mission targeting Italy in 1944, the Town of Oyster Bay announced. While landing safely in Allied territory, Bud was taken in by a pair of Italian women who nursed his wounded legs for a day. He went out and connected with an Allied convoy three days later and recuperated in a hospital for about a week before being sent back into the field. He went on many more missions before coming home and settling with his late wife Elsie in Bethpage in 1950. They have three children, eight grandchildren and 15 great-children.

Rosch was joined by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand for the celebration of his birthday this past weekend.