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| Mauro Elasio Maresca
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| NO. 17757 •
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Died 22 April 1975 at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., aged 50 years
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
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MAURO, or MARIO as some of us called him, came to West Point the hard way
‑ appointed from the Army. He had had over two years service with the
Army Air Force, both in the United States and overseas, prior to his cadet
days. More mature, then, than the average cadet, he knew what military life was
like; he knew what he wanted; and he set out to attain it.
The discipline of cadet life and the rigors of the curriculum were
obstacles which, though perhaps not easily overcome, were readily mastered by
Mauro. And, as a young man of many
talents, he was able to to devote time
to his other gifts. Often our room looked like an artist's studio as Mauro
worked on his oils. Though a city boy from the streets of New York, his western
scenes, still lifes, and oils of horses led one to think he came from other
roots. And who among us who knew him can forget
his singing prowess? For laughs he
could pierce your ears with shrill versions of hits of the day, but he also
used his gifted tenor in a serious vein as a member of the glee club and the
Catholic choir.
Mauro had something else to sustain him during his four years as a cadet ‑
his love for Robin. Their romance was almost "story book West Point."
We never had to ask him who he was taking to the hops. We always knew.
And then in 1950, on graduation, Robin and Mauro were married.
As they moved from station to station their family grew, first with the
addition of daughter Gi‑gi and then later with twin sons, John and
Robert. I recall visiting with Robin and Mauro at Brookley not long after
Gi-gi’s birth. That theirs was a household of love was oh so evident. And then
in March of 1975, not long before his death, I visited with Mauro as he
returned from a trip to see Bobby. As we reminisced and he brought me up to date on Robin and the children, it was
obvious to me that there was never a more devoted husband and father.
And what of his career? It was a career of a true professional - marked
by dedication, selflessness, devotion to duty and brilliance in performance. Mauro spent just about all his years
in a variety of engineering assignments that took him to Alabama, Texas,
Georgia, lndiana, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Southeast Asia (twice). His
decorations tell us of his performance: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star,
the Meritorious Service Medal, and a host of commendation medals. Mauro also
managed to find time for the Air Tactical School, the Air Command and Staff
College, and two masters’ degrees.
Those of us who remain still find it difficult to realize that this
outstanding officer, this devoled husband, this loving father, this true
friend, is gone. But we were all the richer for having been touched by him.
Be Thou At Peace.
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USMA 1950