[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD 
                                 WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2026

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
82nd anniversary of D-Day and to honor East Brunswick, New Jersey's 
native son, Technical Sergeant Philip Streczyk, a distinguished World 
War II veteran.
  Tomorrow marks 82 years since Philip and the men of the 16th Infantry 
Company, 1st Infantry Division, led the charge up the Easy Red sector 
of Omaha Beach. Technical Sergeant Streczyk showed incredible courage 
and tactical skill to guide his men off the beaches despite incredible 
enemy fire. He also displayed resilience and innovation to find a 
pathway up the mine-laden bluffs safely.
  His company commander, Captain Ed Wozenski stated ``I think that he's 
the greatest unsung hero of World War II. To the best of my knowledge, 
he was the first one on the beach and it was the path that he took that 
I picked up. The rest of our battalion followed, 2nd Battalion, 16th 
Infantry, and then later on I think almost the whole corps went up that 
same path.''
  That pathway became a leading edge for our troops to storm Normandy, 
fight amongst the hedgerows deeper inland and ultimately, defeat the 
Germans. Philip's actions truly began the liberation of France from the 
grip of tyranny. Captain Wozenski went on to say: ``If [Streczyk] did 
not earn a Congressional Medal of Honor, no one did.''
  Philip's bravery didn't stop at the beachhead. He proceeded to take 
out a deadly machine gun nest and capture several Polish prisoners of 
war. General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery would later 
present him personally with the Distinguished Service Cross and British 
Military Medal. All told, Streczyk served nearly 440 days straight in 
combat from North Africa to Sicily to Normandy through to the Hurtgen 
Forest.
  His combat valor is unmatched and was dubbed by The Central Jersey 
Home News a ``one-man invasion.'' He was the recipient of a Silver Star 
with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple 
Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and several 
more decorations.
  Like many of the Greatest Generation, Philip lived a simple, humble 
life upon returning home to New Jersey. He raised his 4 kids with his 
wife, Sophie, and worked as a mason and builder and was active in 
Veterans organizations, but, sadly, the toll of warfare caught up with 
him. A gangrenous neck wound suffered during combat led to daily, 
intolerable pain. Streczyk took his own life in 1958 at just 39 years 
old. Technical Sergeant Streczyk is buried in a small, hidden family 
plot in a residential cul-de-sac in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
  Streczyk was never given true recognition by his hometown and state 
for his actions that preserved democracy. I rise today on behalf of New 
Jersey's 12th District to proudly honor this one-of-one military legend 
and American hero. We can never repay the debt we owe to Philip and his 
fellow Soldiers, but we can always honor and remember the sacrifices 
they made so that all of us may live freely today. We are eternally 
grateful to our Greatest Generation.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Technical Sergeant 
Philip Streczyk and his service to our country.

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