Vincent J. Speranza (March 23, 1925 – August 2, 2023) was an American private who served in the United States Army during World War II.

Born in New York City, Speranza grew up on Staten Island with a large Italian family during the Great Depression.

After graduating from high school in January 1943, he enrolled at City College of New York and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18, after being previously rejected due to being 16.

While in the Army, he was sent to Camp Upton in New York State, Suffolk County, Yapank, before being sent to Fort Benning in Georgia, where he trained with the 87th Infantry Division.

After the end of World War II, Speranza lived in Allied-occupied France and the Netherlands until moving back to New York in December 1945, becoming a teacher at Curtis High School.

[4][5] Speranza was sent overseas with Company H, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division[6] from Camp Shanks on board the Queen Mary, landing in Scotland, later moving to England, Belgium and finally France.

[3][9] He wouldn't learn until 65 years later, that this act of kindness was still remembered, and had inspired a local brew, Airbourne Beer, which is served in ceramic pots shaped like helmets.

[11] After the end of World War II, Speranza stayed in Allied-occupied France and Netherlands until December 1945,[12] and then returned to New York, where he became a teacher at Curtis High School.

As part of the 75th anniversary commemoration of Operation Market Garden in September 2019, Speranza was one of two veterans who participated in a parachute drop over North Brabant between Eerde and Schijndel.

[23] In February 2023, Speranza recorded a video sharing an inspiring message to future generations; as of March 2024[update], it has had over 3 million views on YouTube.