[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2676-H2677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO ROBERT PIOLI

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an 
American hero, Robert Pioli, of Marietta, Ohio.
  Only 19 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked, he stepped up to 
fight for his country. Robert requested to be a bombardier because it 
had the shortest training, and he was ready to fight.
  In April of 1944, his B-17 was hit over Hungary. He was captured by 
the Nazis and became a POW, first sent to Poland and then eventually to 
Moosburg, Germany.
  It was in Moosburg, in April 1945, that tanks under General Patton 
rolled over the gates and liberated the camp. Then came what Lieutenant 
Pioli said was the most memorable and dramatic

[[Page H2677]]

moment of his life: The American flag was slowly raised over the town 
of Moosburg. There wasn't a dry eye in the camp.
  Robert recently passed away, peacefully, with his family at his side.
  I am honored to have gotten to know this brave American and his 
family. He didn't like to be called a hero, but that doesn't change the 
fact that he certainly was one.
  God rest in peace, Robert Pioli.

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