[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MR. FRANCIS A. LEONE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL A. ARCURI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Francis 
A. Leone, Sr., a former resident of my congressional district in 
Upstate New York, and his remarkable record of service as a WorId War 
II and Korean war veteran.
  It is always a pleasure to recognize the service and sacrifices made 
by our military veterans, and Mr. Leone is no exception. In 1940, at 
the age of 19, Mr. Leone enlisted as a private in the Army National 
Guard. He was assigned to Company M 10th Infantry 27th Division. 
Stationed for basic and advanced infantry training in Fort McClellen, 
Alabama, he quickly moved up the ranks and was promoted to corporal. In 
1942, his unit was dispatched to the Pacific Theatre of WorId War II. 
Throughout the next 3 years, Mr. Leone saw combat in Eneiwetok, Saipan, 
and Okinawa. During this period he was promoted to the rank of staff 
sergeant, where he was honorably discharged at the end of World War II.
  Mr. Leone demonstrated his deep patriotism again in 1946, when he 
reenlisted in the New York Army Guard Truck Company. There he held the 
rank of first sergeant and was assigned as chief of small arms repair. 
In January 1950, he was appointed warrant officer junior grade, as a 
small arms and ordnance supply officer and joined the 132nd Ordnance 
Company stationed at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Later that year his unit 
was recalled to active Federal service for the Korean war. In May 1952, 
Mr. Leone and his unit were transferred to Germany where he served with 
the 93rd Light Aviation Maintenance Company. He was promoted to the 
rank of chief warrant officer.
  Mr. Leone served the remainder of the war and following years in 
various assignments within maintenance. On May 30, 1981, at the age of 
60, he was honorably discharged.
  During Mr. Leone's time of service he received 17 awards and medals 
including the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation, and a Combat Infantry 
Badge, among others. However, his time in the military had a cost. 
During World War II, Mr. Leone spent 5 long years without seeing his 
family and loved ones, 3 of those years in combat.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Leone's dedication to this Nation and its citizens 
is to be commended. His service should be an inspiration to us all. 
Thank you, Mr. Leone, for your hard work and tremendous personal 
sacrifices for our Nation.

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