[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E634-E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT JOSEPH F. GIANETTO II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANN MARIE BUERKLE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2011

  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Senior 
Master Sergeant Joseph F. Gianetto II. Originally from Oswego, NY, 
Sergeant Gianetto enlisted in 1971 and subsequently has spent over 
39\1/2\ years with United States Air Force and the New York Air 
National Guard. Sergeant Gianetto has been decorated with numerous 
medals, awards and service distinctions. It is my honor to recognize 
such a distinguished citizen and airman.
  Sergeant Gianetto began his military career in the Air Force on the 
delayed enlistment program in June 1971 and was called to active duty 
in October 1971. Upon completion of basic training at Lackland Air 
Force Base, Texas, in November 1971, Sergeant Gianetto began technical 
school training as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist at Sheppard Air 
Force Base, Texas. In March 1972, he was assigned to 314th Tactical 
Airlift Wing, Organizational Maintenance Branch, Flight-line 
Maintenance, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and began on-the-job 
training for his five-skill level on the C-130E Hercules aircraft. He 
remained in that position until May 1973.
  In May 1973, Sergeant Gianetto was reassigned to the 56th Special 
Operations Wing, Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Flight-line 
Branch, Nahkon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in support 
of combat operations in Southeast Asia. While assigned with the 56th 
Organizational Maintenance Squadron he performed duties as Aircraft 
Crew Chief on the OV-10A Bronco aircraft and deployed to forward 
operating locations at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Takhli Royal 
Thai Air Force Base, and Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.
  After completion of his tour of duty in Southeast Asia, Sergeant 
Gianetto was reassigned to 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, Field 
Maintenance Branch, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, where he worked in the 
Repair and Reclamation Shop as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician 
performing heavy maintenance on the C-130E aircraft. He was 
subsequently reassigned to the 314th Headquarters Squadron as an 
Aircraft Job Controller coordinating the maintenance efforts on a fleet 
of over 100 C-130E Hercules aircraft.
  Sergeant Gianetto applied for a release from active duty under the 
Palace Chase Program. His release from active duty was granted in 
September 1979. He became a member of the 107th Fighter Interceptor 
Group, Organizational Maintenance Branch, Flight-line Maintenance, New 
York Air National Guard, Niagara Falls, New York, and was assigned as a 
Crew Chief on the RF-101 Voodoo aircraft. In January 1980, Sergeant 
Gianetto transferred to the 174th Fighter Wing, assigned to the 174th 
Maintenance Squadron as Crew Chief on the A-10A Thunderbolt aircraft, 
and subsequently held assignments in the 174th Maintenance Operations 
Flight, and the 174th Operations Group, supporting F-16C Fighting 
Falcon Maintenance Operations, and RC-26 Counterdrug Operations.
  The 174th Fighter Wing was called mobilized and called to active duty 
on 29 December 1990. On 2 January 1991, Sergeant Gianetto deployed to 
Al Kharj Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in support of Operation 
Desert Shield/Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. He returned 
from the Persian Gulf on 20 May 1991 and was released from active duty 
on 13 June 1991. He also served in Operation Northern Watch from 23 
August to 16 September 1997, and Operation Southern Watch from 28 
February to 8 April 2000 and again from 28 July to 28 August 2001, all 
in support of contingency operations against Iraq. After the September 
11th terrorist attacks, he performed over 40 days of active duty 
supporting Combat Air Patrol sorties in support of Operation Noble 
Eagle.
  On 14 October 2003, Sergeant Gianetto volunteered for his forth Air 
Expeditionary Force deployment in Support of the Global War on 
Terrorism. He deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Emirate of Qatar, and was 
attached to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Operations Squadron, 
from 17 October 2003 to 5 December 2003, in support of combat 
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom 
and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  On 28 November 2006, Sergeant Gianetto was again called to active 
duty deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, where he was assigned to the 332d Expeditionary Maintenance 
Group. While there he worked as a Senior Weapon Systems Controller and 
Shift Supervisor, coordinating maintenance operations for three 
different active duty and Air National Guard assigned aircraft 
supporting contingency operations throughout the Iraqi theater of 
operations. Sergeant Gianetto redeployed after 96 days in-theater and 
was released from active duty on 1 April 2007.
  Sergeant Gianetto had been employed as an Air National Guard 
Technician since June 1980, working as an A-10 Aircraft Mechanic; 
Aircraft Production Controller; Aircraft Production Control Supervisor; 
Aircraft Production Control Superintendent; and a Logistics Management 
Technician. He retired from his full-time technician position on 1 
March 2008.
  Militarily, he was assigned as the NCOIC for the 174th Fighter Wing 
RC-26 Counterdrug office on 23 June 2008, and is a former Maintenance 
Squadron First Sergeant. He has over 39\1/2\ years combined service, 
eight years of active duty in the United States Air Force, and the 
remainder with the New York Air National Guard.
  During these times and throughout his career, Sergeant has displayed 
honorable character and service to the United States Air Force and 
174th Fighter Wing, and our country. His military decorations include 
the Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal, with one 
oak leaf cluster; and Air Force Achievement Medal; five oak leaf 
clusters. His military unit and achievement awards include the Joint 
Service Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Award, with two oak 
leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat ``V'' 
device and nine oak leaf clusters; Air Force Good Conduct Medal, with 
one oak leaf cluster; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, 
with nine oak leaf clusters. His military campaign and service awards 
include the National Defense Service Medal, with two bronze service 
stars; Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal with one bronze service 
star; Viet Nam Service Medal with one bronze campaign star; Southwest 
Asia Service Medal, with three bronze campaign stars; Iraq Campaign 
Medal, with two bronze campaign stars; Global War on Terrorism 
Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Military 
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal; Air 
Force Overseas Service Ribbon, with two oak leaf clusters; Air Force 
Expeditionary Service Ribbon, with gold combat frame and two oak leaf 
clusters; Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, with eight oak leaf 
clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass device, 
mobilization ``M'' device, and numeral ``7''; Noncommissioned Officer 
Professional Military Education Ribbon, with two oak leaf clusters; 
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; and Air Force Training Ribbon. 
Sergeant Gianetto's Foreign Service awards include the Republic of Viet 
Nam Gallantry Cross with palm device; Republic of Viet Nam Campaign 
Medal with date bar; Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia; and the 
Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait.
  Sergeant Gianetto also holds the following New York State awards and 
decorations: New York State Military Commendation Medal; New York State 
Long and Faithful Service Award, with one gold and one silver device; 
New York State Desert Storm Service Medal; New York State Defense of 
Liberty Medal; New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, with one 
silver device; New York State Conspicuous Service Star, with one gold 
and two silver devices; New York State Recruiting Medal; New York State 
Counterdrug Ribbon; New York State Exercise Support Ribbon, with three 
``E'' devices; and the Medal for Humane Service to New York State; and 
the New York State Air Guard First Sergeant Ribbon.
  He is also the recipient of the Air National Guard Noncommissioned 
Officer Academy Graduate Association, Outstanding Graduate of the Year 
Award for 1995; the 1999 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5885, All-State 
Commanders Award; and the 174th Fighter Wing Senior Noncommissioned 
Officer of the Year Award for 2001. In May 2004, Sergeant Gianetto 
received the American Red Cross Veterans award. He was also named the 
174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard Senior Noncommissioned Officer of 
the Year for 2005.
  His effective dates of promotion are: Airman--16 November 1971; 
Airman First Class--1 April 1972; Sergeant--1 November 1973; Staff 
Sergeant--1 November 1976; Technical Sergeant--1 October 1980; Master 
Sergeant--1 February 1986; Senior Master Sergeant--13 February 1990.
  Sergeant Gianetto is a Past Post Commander and ``Life'' of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Quatrini-Dehm Post No. 5885, located in 
Oswego, New York. He is also member the American Legion, James Harvey 
Spire Post No. 787, Cicero, New York. He is a member of the Air Force 
Association; the Air Force Sergeants Association; the Enlisted 
Association of the National Guard of the United

[[Page E635]]

States; the Enlisted Association of the New York National Guard; and 
the 174th Alumni Association. He is a member of the Air National Guard 
Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduates Association; and the American 
Veterans (AmVets). He is also an active member of the 174th Fighter 
Wing Base Honor Guard, and a member of Bugles Across America.
  Without question, Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Gianetto is a very special 
person. He willingly served his nation, exuding loyalty and pride. For 
his unrelenting service, Sergeant Gianetto can retire knowing he has 
earned such a status. I would like to wish him well in his retirement 
years, as he will now be able to spend more free time with his wife 
Dale, his three daughters, Christina Gianetto, Jennifer (Gianetto) 
Rowan, Brynn Leigh (Shattuck) Shamp, sons Ryan and Kegan Shattuck, and 
grandson Nehemiah Shamp. Sergeant Gianetto, thank you for all your 
years of hard work, dedication and service to our country.

                          ____________________