Tedisco Inducts World War II Hero and one of the “Iron Men of Metz” into NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

JOHNSTOWN--Senator Jim Tedisco on Jne 13th, at a meeting of the Fulton County Board of Supervisors in Johnstown, posthumously inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame, the late U.S. Army Sgt. Alex Aesch, Jr. of Gloversville (pronounced ASH), a decorated World War II veteran who saw fierce fighting in France and across Europe. 

“Alex Aesch, Jr. was an American hero who served our country in World War II as a member of that ‘Greatest Generation’ of Americans who saved our world from darkness. As one of the famed ‘Iron Men of Metz’ Sgt. Aesch saw incredibly fierce fighting and was part of a unit that was able to liberate the town of Metz, France from the clutches of Nazi occupation. While Sgt. Aesch is no longer with us, his heroism is eternal and I am proud to have selected him to be inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame and posthumously present this honor to his loving family,” said Senator Jim Tedisco. 

Sgt. Aesch courageously fought in the U.S. Army’s 95^th Infantry Division as a member of the famed “Iron Men of Metz.”  The “Iron Men of Metz” was the nickname for the 95^th Infantry Division members who battled Nazi Germany in World War II to liberate and defend the French town of Metz in November 1944 through heavy and costly fighting, sometimes in brutal house-to-house combat. 

During the War, Aesch saw fighting in France, Holland and Germany and spent 133 days on the front lines along the Rhine Valley. 

The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding veterans form the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military service and civilian life. 

For his heroic and honorable service to our country during World War II, Aeach was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantrymen Badge (1^st Award), Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Sgt. Aesch was honorably discharged from the 378^th Infantry Div. Co. 1 on Nov. 22, 1945. 

He was married to Florence Firth, who passed away in 1963, and later married Mary Snedecker Rathburn in 1974. Aesch had 5 children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. After the war, Aesch was employed by Mohasco of Amsterdam and retired from the Gloversville Department of Public Works. Aesch was the son of Alex and Marie Aesch and was born in 1922. He passed away in 2017.