[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1836-E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TONY GALDI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 1998

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I submitted the following for the Record. 
Thank you, Major General Sinn for your invitation. Today, more than 53 
years after his heroic deed, we present the Bronze Star for valor, one 
of this Nation's highest military honors, to Mr. Tony Galdi.
  Our community is proud of Tony, a dedicated family man whose 
religious faith has given him strength and courage throughout his life. 
He retired a number of years ago from his family's import business. His 
days are spent playing chess with friends and pursuing his love of art. 
Like many who grew up in Brooklyn, Tony still misses the Dodgers but he 
enjoys watching his new adopted team, the Mets. He is joined today by 
his wife Delores, their family and close friends. We welcome them all.
  Tony's story spans decades and continents, but across these divides 
friendship and loyalty have endured and have brought us to this moment. 
In 1943, he was inducted into the Army, trained to be an armored gunner 
and stationed in Scotland. During the summer of 1944, Corporal Galdi 
was sent to mainland Europe as part of the thousands of troops who were 
involved in the Normandy invasion. He spent the summer fighting in the 
French campaign with General Patton's Third Army. By the year's end, he 
joined the Ninth Army and had crossed into Germany. It was in Germany 
that Tony bravely earned today's honor.
  It has been said that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he 
stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stand during 
times of challenge. On a cold January day in 1945, Corporal Galdi stood 
poised on the edge of such a challenge and summoned all his mettle and 
his courage.
  Two of Tony's comrades, First Sergeant Jim Hill and Corporal Louis 
Cristini, went into a mine field to recover a rifle dropped by a 
soldier killed in action. Minutes after entering the area one of the 
men triggered a mine, causing a massive explosion. Through the mist and 
smoke, Corporal Galdi could see that, while both men were still alive, 
Sergeant Hill's leg had been shattered by the explosion.
  On that day in January, Corporal Galdi was alone, from family and 
home. He had to be scared; his friends were injured and dying. But he 
vanquished his fear and forged on, not for glory but for a cause larger 
then himself--the lives of his friends.
  In the midst of this bloody chaos, Corporal Galdi took charge and 
bravely entered the mine field. Taking his life into his own hands, he 
sprinted 75 yards across a snow covered field that made detection of 
the mines impossible. He knew that with each step could lie the same 
fate as Sergeant Hill's or worse--death.
  Upon reaching his friends, it was clear that Sergeant Hill was in 
dire straights. With the assistance of Corporal Cristini, they carried 
him back to the jeep and rushed him to the nearest field hospital. 
Sadly, Sergeant Hill died.
  Because of who he is, Mr. Galdi never thought to tell this story and 
no one else thought to report it leaving this heroic act unrewarded. It 
was not until 1980, after the encouragement of his daughter, that he 
came forward.
  Account after account by the men who served with Corporal Galdi 
praised his bravey. Sharp Stafford, Staff Sergeant for the battalion, 
upon recalling Tony's act years later called his deed``an act of 
heroism.'' On that day in January, no one doubted that Corporal Galdi 
deserved one of this nation's highest recognitions. We may all wonder 
why this has

[[Page E1837]]

taken so long, but we do know why he is here today--because his friends 
never forgot what he did for one of their own.
  On that mine field so many years ago, Tony Galdi performed a truly 
heroic deed and asked nothing in return. At long last, it is time to 
honor his unselfish act of bravery.
  Mr. Galdi, on behalf of all Americans, we thank you for your service, 
for your courage, for your determination and for your loyalty to your 
fellow soldiers and country. We are all proud to call you an American. 
And I am proud to see you receive the Bronze Star for valor.

                          ____________________