[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 88 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E674-E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE MEMORY OF STAFF SGT. JOHN SIMONETTI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 24, 2019

  Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Staff 
Sgt. John Simonetti, who sacrificed his life for his country 75 years 
ago.
  Simonetti was born in Jackson Heights, New York on May 24th, 1918. He 
later enlisted in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant in the 2nd 
Infantry Division. On D-Day plus 1, Staff Sgt. Simonetti's division 
crossed the Channel with the mission to capture an enemy strong point, 
a city called Saint-Lo, Normandy. On June 16, 1944, Simonetti was 
killed in action during an ambush by enemy troops outside the town of 
St. Germain d'Elle. Under heavy fire, his squad was forced to abandon 
his body and was unable to locate it when they returned to the area 
days later.
  In the absence of a body to mourn, Staff Sgt. Simonetti's family 
carried with them the memory of a kind, funny, patriotic young man and 
passed along the story of his sacrifice to younger generations. On the 
50th anniversary of D-Day, Simonetti's nephew, Fred Salerno, travelled 
to Normandy to learn more about his uncle and St. Germain d 'Elle. 
There, Salerno met with locals from the area and left with them his 
contact information should any remains be discovered.
  15 years later, the skeletal remains of an American soldier--with dog 
tags still around his neck--were unearthed near the center of town and 
officials, remembering the family who had visited years earlier, 
contacted Salerno. Staff Sgt. Simonetti's remains were flown to the 
United States and laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
  I believe the story of Staff Sgt. Simonetti's sacrifice, his family's 
longstanding dedication to his memory, and the people of St. Germain

[[Page E675]]

d'Elle's respect for a fallen American soldier are indicative of some 
of the best traits of the human race. A man lost his life 75 years ago 
fighting for freedom and liberty, and two communities that he touched 
were brought together in friendship and fraternity.
  As we near Memorial Day, it becomes ever more important for us to 
recognize and share these stories of our brave soldiers who never 
returned home. I hope all Americans remember the fallen soldiers who 
committed the greatest sacrifice of giving their lives for our country 
and honor them by living in gratitude each and every day for the 
precious gift they have selflessly given to us.

                          ____________________