[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO VICTOR FONTANEZ

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. Victor 
Fontanez of Platte City, MO. Mr. Fontanez is a World War II veteran who 
served with distinction in Europe from 1942 to 1945.
  Mr. Fontanez joined the Army in January of 1941, 11 months before the 
attacks on Pearl Harbor. He recognized the need for soldiers to answer 
the call, and swiftly volunteered for service wherever he could be 
used. Joining Company B, 47th Infantry Battalion, 9th Division, Mr. 
Fontanez was quickly shipped to North Africa where he participated in 
the larger Battle of Tunisia against German Field Marshal Erwin 
Rommel's vaunted Afrika Korps.
  In April of 1943, near the town of El Guettar, his battalion was 
given orders to go over the top of an important hill. As he ran down 
the hill towards the enemy, a mortar shell exploded close to him, 
sending shrapnel into the left side of his body. Despite profuse 
bleeding, he continued on to the bottom of the hill and took cover near 
a large rock. Another mortar hit the rock, sending concussions through 
his body and making it difficult to breathe. After the attack, his 
fellow heroes helped him back to the headquarters, where he was patched 
up quickly and evacuated to an American hospital in Oran.
  For the wounds he suffered that day, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
  After his recovery, he was assigned to the 36th Infantry Division as 
a combat engineer. He was a crucial part of the landing forces at 
Salerno Bay, Italy. After securing their positions, they were given 
orders to help reinforce the Anzio beachhead, and then to take 
Velletri, one of the key cities that the Germans used in the defense of 
Rome. After the Nazis fell, his division marched through the streets of 
Rome to a hero's welcome. After the liberation of Rome, his division 
was sent off on ships to another crucial mission: the invasion of 
southern France.
  It was during Operation Dragoon on the beaches of France that Mr. 
Fontanez would earn his highest award for valor. While the troops 
advanced inland from the landing area, a low-flying plane dropped a 
bomb onboard one of the ships in the bay, causing explosions and major 
fires.
  After seeing a number of badly burned men jump from the ship with 
their clothes on fire--and with total disregard for his own safety--he 
entered the water and was able to swim several safely to shore.
  For this selfless act of bravery, he was awarded the Soldier's Medal.
  Later he rejoined his company and was able to help drive the Germans 
out of Cannes and Grenoble. Moving through the cold snow, they rested 
where they could. As Christmas 1944 approached, the 36th was hoping for 
a lull in fighting, but German forces launched an attack to the north. 
After successfully defending their positions, the 36th renewed the 
offense and crossed the Rhine River into Germany in late March 1945. It 
was shortly after this that Mr. Fontanez got his well-deserved rest, 
and was expedited home for extended leave.
  Like so many of his generation, Mr. Fontanez's success extended 
beyond the battlefield. He fathered two children: a son, Victor, Jr., 
who is now a retired military officer; and a daughter, Edith, who 
currently lives in Platte City and works with Support Our Troops & 
Vets.
  He is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and great-
grandfather of four, and counts a military chaplain, two Army soldiers, 
a Guardsman, an attorney, and a social worker in his lineage. Nearing 
90 years of age, Victor Fontanez is a proud member and example of our 
``greatest generation,'' and should be commended for his bravery in 
helping secure the freedoms we all enjoy. On this day, I encourage my 
colleagues to stand with me in praising the service of this true hero, 
Victor Fontanez.

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