[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 117 (Monday, July 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CORPORAL RALPH M. SIMONI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN HERN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2023

  Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a very special veteran from 
Oklahoma's First Congressional District, U.S. Army Air Forces Corporal, 
Ralph M. Simoni.
  Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 6, 1923, Cpl. Simoni is 
celebrating his 100th birthday today. In 1943, Cpl. Simoni began 
serving our Nation during World War II at one of the most consequential 
moments in human history. He bravely served in the Asiatic-Pacific 
Theater of the war from 1943 to 1946 and received a Victory Medal for 
doing his part to secure Victory Over Japan Day, better known as ``V-J 
Day'', that marked the end of the war on September 2, 1945.
  Cpl. Simoni served as an airplane propeller mechanic in the 
pioneering 4th Glider Section of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Cpl. 
Simoni's work helped U.S. glider aircraft drop paratroopers and light 
artillery into enemy territory. Glider missions were dangerous and 
designed for a single purpose that resulted in very few of the aircraft 
ever being recovered. Cpl. Simoni and the 4th Glider Section conducted 
several successful missions in New Guinea, Luzon, and the South 
Philippines liberation campaigns of World War II.
  Cpl. Simoni now lives in my hometown of Tulsa and is deservedly being 
recognized today as the precious American hero that he is by his 
friends and family. Following the recent celebration of Independence 
Day, it is my honor to thank Cpl. Simoni on behalf of a grateful Nation 
for his remarkable military service and wish him a very happy birthday.

                          ____________________