Joseph Edward Persico(July 19, 1930 – August 30, 2014) was an author and American military historian. From 1974 to 1977, he was primary speechwriter toVice PresidentNelson Rockefeller.At the time of his death, he lived inGuilderland, New York.[1]His bookNuremberg: Infamy on Trialtells the story of theNuremberg Trials;it was adapted for television as the docudramaNuremberg.
Early life
editJoseph Edward Persico was born inGloversville, New Yorkon July 19, 1930 to Thomas Persico and Bianca Perrone.[2]In 1952 he received aBachelor of Artsdegree in English and Political Science from theNew York State College for Teachers(now the University at Albany). Following graduation, he joined theU.S. Navywhere he served as aLieutenant (junior grade)aboard a minesweeper and also worked atNATOHeadquartersNaples,Italy.[3]
Political career
editAfter three years, he left the Navy and joined GovernorW. Averell Harrimanas a writer and researcher. In 1960, Persico joined theUnited States Information Agencyworking in Argentina, Brazil, and Washington as a Foreign Service Officer.
From 1963 until 1966, he served as Executive Assistant to theNew York State Health Commissionerand in 1966 became the chief speechwriter for thenGovernor of New YorkNelson A. Rockefeller.He remained Rockefeller's primary speechwriter throughout the latter's Vice Presidency.[1]
Persico was nominated as a commissioner to theAmerican Battle Monuments Commissionby thenSecretary of StateColin Powell.In this capacity he contributed to the design of theWorld War II Memoriallocated at theNational MallinWashington, D.C.,writing the words of the poem carved into the message stone located at the eastern entrance of the memorial as well as appearing on the 'Freedom Wall' on the Western edge of the memorial.
Author
edit
In 1977, following the end of Rockefeller's tenure, Persico publishedMy Enemy My Brother: Men and Days of Gettysburg,an historical work of non fiction covering theAmerican Civil War.
In 1979, he published a novel,The Spiderweb,and a further nonfiction study,Piercing the Reich: The Penetration of Nazi Germany by American Secret Agents During World War II.
Three years later he producedThe Imperial Rockefeller,a biography of his former employer. This was followed by a biography ofEdward R. Murrow.In 1995, he co-wroteColin L. Powell's autobiography My American Journey.
Throughout the 1990s, Persico continued to produce historical books (Casey: From the OSS to the CIAandNuremberg: Infamy on Trial) as well as numerous articles on American history.
In November 2001, he publishedRoosevelt's Secret War: FDR and World War II Espionageand in 2004,Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and Its Violent Climax.[1]
In May 2013, he published his last book,Roosevelt's Centurions: FDR and the Commanders He Led to Victory in World War II,through Random House.
Death and burial
editPersico died in hospice at St. Peter's Hospital inAlbany, New Yorkthe morning of August 30, 2014.[4]He was buried atGerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National CemeteryinSchuylerville, New York.[5]
Personal life
editHe was married to Sylvia Palma LaVista and they had two daughters.[3]
References
edit- ^abcUniversity at Albany;Finding Aid for the JOSEPH E. PERSICO PAPERS, 1910-2003;(APAP-030)
- ^Associated Press (September 5, 2014)."Joseph Persico, Historian of Espionage, FDR Era, Dies at 84".New Haven Register.New Haven, CT.RetrievedSeptember 7,2014.
- ^abWebcast Interviewat thePritzker Military Museum & Library
- ^Grondahl, Paul (August 30, 2014)."Joseph E. Persico, Acclaimed Historian and Biographer, Dies at 84".Times Union (Albany, NY).RetrievedSeptember 7,2014.
- ^Associated Press (August 31, 2014)."NY Author, Rockefeller Speechwriter Persico Dies".ABC News.RetrievedSeptember 7,2014.
External links
edit- Official website
- AppearancesonC-SPAN
- Webcast Interviewat thePritzker Military Museum & Libraryon November 1, 2007