In the wake of the fall of Rome to Allied forces in June 1944, the Italian capital became a destination for American soldiers on passes away from their units and hospitals across Italy.

Among the soldiers who arrived in the “Eternal City” was Corporal Nicholas Leshko of Wiconisco Township, Pennsylvania. Leshko served with the 1st Armored Division and was wounded slightly in the fighting on the road to Rome in the spring of 1944. While in hospital recovering, Rome fell and Leshko had the chance to visit the city.

The Lykens Standard published excerpts from Leshko’s letter to his father describing his brief stay in Rome:

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Wiconisco Soldier Wounded In Italy; Visits Rome For Day

Mr. Charles Leshko, of Wiconisco received word from his son, Cpl. Nicholas Leshko, that he had received slight wounds in the battle for Rome. After spending a few days in the Hospital he was returned to his company. Cpl. Leshko saw action on the Anzio Beachhead. He has in his possession a Nazi Flag.

The letter he wrote to his father was written on German Army stationery taken from prisoners of war. Following is an interesting excerpt from a letter written by Corporal Leshko:

“You asked me how much I saw of Rome? Well, I was there on a one-day pass and saw some of it. It’s a big place, that’s why I only saw part of it. No matter where a guy went, he usually ended up where he started from because the place seems to be running in circles.

I saw the historical monument of Victor Emanuel II and Mussolini’s Balcony. Went thru the Colosseum, the remains of the Roman Forum; then over the bridge above the Tiber River to the Castle Saint Angelo.

We went to the top of it and saw all of Rome. The Pope addressed the people from the balcony of it. There was a viaduct from it to the Vatican and St. Peter’s and the Pope used it.

The castle had the old battle weapons all thru it. The catapults, heavy steel cross-bars, and the old cannons, etc. There were many other buildings we went by, but didn’t bother to go through them. I’d trade all of it for Wiconisco.

There were plenty of souvenirs but the prices had no ceiling.”

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Leshko recovered from his wounds and survived the war. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1945 and went to work in a factory in Lykens. He later worked on the railroad for Conrail. Leshko passed away in 1981 at the age of 59. He is buried at the Orthodox Cemetery in Lykens, Pennsylvania.

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