[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MICHAEL CIAFARDONI OF THE 803RD TANK DESTROYER BATTALION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LaMALFA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2018

  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the passing of a 
great man from California's first district, Michael Ciafardoni, Sr., 
who died at the age of 94. Born in Nepezzano, Italy, Michael immigrated 
to America in 1939 and was soon called upon just a few years later to 
serve his new country in the Second World War.
  Although he was not yet a United States citizen, he fulfilled his 
civic duty nonetheless and served in the U.S. Army in WWII as a member 
of the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Recon Company, as a heavy 
machine gunner. He was the last surviving member of his company. Along 
the way, Michael experienced all that the European Theatre had to 
offer. He earned five bronze battle stars for fighting in some of the 
most consequential battles of the war, including the Normandy Invasion 
and the Battle of the Bulge.
  Despite this impressive record, Michael insisted his proudest wartime 
experience was not any of those major engagements, but rather, the 
liberation of a small town in Czechoslovakia near the end of the war. 
Jewish prisoners were being held in the town of Volary, where they 
awaited transfer to a Nazi concentration camp. Fortunately, Michael and 
his company got there first--and they liberated them. To the people of 
Volary, these men were heroes.
  When the 803rd was leaving town a few days later, they were ambushed 
by German soldiers. Private Charles Havlat, riding in the tank directly 
in front of Michael, was caught in the crossfire. The Germans 
unconditionally surrendered merely hours later. Charles was the last 
soldier killed in Europe. To this day, the town holds an annual 
celebration to pay tribute to the American soldiers who risked their 
lives to free them, and to Charles Havlat, who made the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  I'm told that Michael's one wish was to be honored for his wartime 
service in Europe. That is a wish that I could not be happier to 
fulfill right here on the House floor in the United States Capitol. 
Amazingly, Michael was a war hero for a country that he wasn't even yet 
a citizen of. Thankfully, that didn't last long. In October of 1946, he 
earned U.S. citizenship for his exemplary service to his new country--
his new home.
  In 1960, he and his wife Micki moved to Southern California, before 
relocating to North San Juan in 1983 to be closer to their children and 
grandchildren.
  Like any true American, Michael was immensely proud to be here and 
ready to fight for his country without hesitation. Many people today 
could learn a lot from a guy like Michael. Before he died, he asked to 
see his Certificate of Naturalization, which brought a proud smile to 
his face.
  The simple fact is, Michael was as American as any among us, and all 
who knew him were better off for it. He truly lived a life worth living 
and he made his family and his country proud. May he rest in peace. God 
Bless.

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