[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE SERVICE OF GENNARO (JERRY) CIANCIOTTA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LEE M. ZELDIN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 9, 2019

  Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the service and 
sacrifice of Gennaro (Jerry) Cianciotta who was born on January 13, 
1919, grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn and now resides in 
Ronkonkoma, New York.
  Jerry enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during the summer 
of 1940 and was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he was assigned 
to the Fifteenth Air Corps Group--68th Materiel. Upon completion of 
Basic Training, Jerry was transferred to Africa where he encountered 
enemy fire and bombings by the German military. Tasked with the 
treacherous job of refueling aircrafts, he achieved the rank of 
Corporal and was awarded multiple awards for his service, including a 
Good Conduct medal.
  Jerry was then sent to England, where the enemy aggression continued. 
``I was really lucky,'' Jerry stated in reference to surviving the 
bombs and fire he encountered. After serving in England for a year, 
Jerry, who was fluent in Italian, was sent to Italy, where he remained 
until just prior to the end of World War II. Having returned home on 
leave to get married at the conclusion of the war, Jerry returned to 
Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he was honorably discharged.
  For his service and sacrifice, our Nation will always be indebted to 
Buck Sergeant Gennaro (Jerry) Cianciotta, and his bravery and 
selflessness, then and now, continues to inspire us all.

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