[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 45 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S.A.F. COL. FRANCIS R. ``FRANK'' CAPPELLETTI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2007

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary life and accomplishments of U.S.A.F. Col. Francis R. 
``Frank'' Cappelletti, a giant amongst men.
  Col. Cappelletti was born in Koppel, Pennsylvania in 1918. He 
graduated from Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec before entering 
the Army Air Force in 1940. He completed navigation training with Pan 
American Airlines in Coral Gables, Florida in 1941. Thereafter, he was 
assigned to a B-17 outfit, the 19th Bomb Group. During WorId War II, 
Col. Cappelletti courageously flew 91 combat missions against the 
Japanese in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Later he served under 
General Curtis LeMay at the Strategic Air Command Headquarters.
  Frank Cappelletti's flying prowess extended beyond combat missions. 
Before it was routine, the Colonel pioneered the flight pattern from 
Alaska to the North Pole. His continued service in the Air Force had 
him participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the Vietnam 
War.
  He retired as an Air Force Colonel after 30 years of service. During 
his extraordinary career he amassed several awards and honors, 
including the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Silver Star with 
clusters, and Air Medal.
  A humble man who never rested on his laurels, Col. Cappelletti 
continued serving his country and his community. After his retirement, 
Frank worked for the Defense Department civil service section for 11 
years. He also volunteered for the Smithsonian Institution, translating 
documents from Russian into English. He was an active member of the 
Kiwanis Club, the Boys and Girls Club, the Military Officers 
Association of America, and of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. 
Petersburg Beach, Florida.
  A tall, striking figure with movie star good looks, Colonel 
Cappelletti was an exemplary resident of my district and I am so proud 
to have served him, even for a short time. His devoted wife, Rose 
Cappelletti, took care of him to the very end as Alzheimer's disease 
gradually consumed him. In the final days of his extraordinary life, 
Mrs. Cappelletti provided him with a last glimpse of what she described 
as the ``love of his life,'' a look at his beloved B-17 bomber as it 
toured a local airport. While the B-17 may be a close second, I know 
the real love of Colonel Cappelletti's life was Rose.
  Madam Speaker, may the Colonel's life be a model to which we should 
all strive. May he rest in peace, and may his memory be eternal.

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