[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 183 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1060-E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING U.S. ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, FRANK J. GAFFNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CLAUDIA TENNEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 6, 2023

  Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join Niagara County and the 
Western New York Community in commending the family of WWI hero and 
Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army Private First Class, Frank J. 
Gaffney for preserving his extraordinary military service and 
achievements during World War I.
  On November 10, 2023, the Family of Frank Gaffney presented Niagara 
County with his medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor for 
permanent display in the rotunda of Niagara County Courthouse The 
display of these medals will not only maintain the legacy of Frank 
Gaffney, but it will provide a reminder that Niagara County is home to 
some of the bravest service members who have ever lived.
  I am proud of all who supported the development of this project, 
including the Niagara

[[Page E1061]]

County Legislature and the Niagara County Historian's Office. This one-
of-a-kind display now stands as a symbol and reminder to Niagara County 
and all of Western New York of the heroic actions that Frank Gaffney 
took to preserve our freedoms.
  On September 29, 1918, near Ronssoy, France, while serving with 
Company G, 108th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army's 27th Division, 
Frank Gaffney, an automatic rifleman, pushed forward alone, after all 
the other members of his squad had been killed, he discovered several 
Germans placing a heavy machine gun in position. He took swift action 
and eliminated the crew, captured the gun, bombed several dugouts, and, 
after killing four more of the enemy with his pistol, held the position 
until reinforcements arrived. Gaffney independently breached a portion 
of Germany's Hindenburg line helping capture 80 prisoners in the 
process. Due to his incredible actions, six different countries 
recognized and honored him including the United States. In 1919 Mr. 
Gaffney was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  In 2022 a biographical book was published detailing Mr. Gaffney's 
life titled He Charged Alone by author John Strasburg. According to 
Strasburg, after WWI, Mr. Gaffney returned to Niagara County, New York, 
due to a combat injury during his service. Mr. Gaffney had to have his 
left arm amputated. Despite challenges he faced after the war, he 
raised a family and continued to advocate for several veteran 
organizations. He died in 1948 at the age of 62.
  We must continue to recognize and commemorate those who sacrificed on 
behalf of our nation and fought on our country's many historic 
battlefields. I thank the family of Frank Gaffney and Niagara County, 
because of their contributions, one of our greatest heroes, Private 
First Class Frank J. Gaffney will forever be remembered within our 
local community. It is my honor to represent the community that Mr. 
Gaffney called home along with the members of our community who crafted 
this historic display.

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