Local Marines honor brother at 102nd birthday ceremony

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 5:30 AM EST


By Scott Ware newsroom@delcotimes.com

DARBY BOROUGH — Retired Sgt. Maj. Alfred DeSerio thought he was just another U.S. Marine.

“I never expected this,” he said.

DeSerio, who celebrated his 102nd birthday Tuesday, is among the longest-living Marines in the country.

A recipient of many awards, he was further honored at St. Francis Country House, the retirement home where he resides.

“A couple Marines wanted to recognize you on your birthday,” said Maj. Jeff Kenney in greeting DeSerio before the ceremony.

Kenney, along with about a half-dozen former and active Marines, arrived early in the afternoon to present several awards to DeSerio in honor of his birthday.

“We’ve got some former Marines, some present Marines, and, if my brother were here, we’d have some future Marines, too,” said Kenney. “There are no former Marines. We are all brothers in arms.”

In addition to Kenney, Master Sgt. Gregory Hall also assisted in presenting the materials to DeSerio.

Among the most notable materials presented to DeSerio was a challenge coin — a military coin that dates to World War I, Kenney said. During the war, Ivy League pilots were given the coins while in enemy territory in order to show their citizenship to the United States. The challenge coin has since become a part of military tradition.

In addition to the challenge coin, DeSerio also received a certificate of congressional recognition and a letter of congratulations from Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

While standing at attention, Staff Sgts. Steve Rosario and Chad Small assisted Kenney and Hall in giving the colors to DeSerio, along with a certificate of authenticity. The flag had formerly flown over the Marine Corps Memorial earlier in the year.

The ceremony concluded with members of the Marine Corps League inducting DeSerio into the organization.

Born and reared in South Philadelphia, DeSerio is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. DeSerio said he attended public school before enlisting in the service when he was 18.

According to Kenney, DeSerio served 42 years in the Marines, 38 of them on active duty. In 1966, he achieved the rank of master sergeant. Four years later, DeSerio retired.

During the ceremony, Kenney noted the many places DeSerio had been stationed, including Twin Peaks, Da Nang and a large number of units that no longer exist.

As a civilian, DeSerio said he formerly worked for PECO. In 1952, DeSerio married Marie Conway, who died 32 years later.

In December 2002, DeSerio became a resident at the Darby retirement home after suffering a stroke, and has since lost his eyesight due to glaucoma.

Ellie