[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 112 (Thursday, July 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOE CAMINITI

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2026

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable constituent, Joe Caminiti of Bristol, a 101-year-old World 
War II veteran whose service record includes storming the beaches of 
Iwo Jima and liberating Guam.
  At age 18, Mr. Caminiti left school to join the US Marine Corps on 
behalf of his Nation. After training at Parris Island and Camp Lejune, 
Mr. Caminiti was deployed with the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion to 
New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and Guam.
  Once Guam was liberated, the Marines set their sights on Iwo Jima, an 
island used by the Japanese military to launch airplanes that attacked 
Saipan and American bombers. The heavily fortified island had been 
under bombardment for 66 days, but the military was still unable to 
take control.
  Mr. Caminiti was part of the 10th wave landing at Iwo Jima. While 
offloading troops, his amphibious tractor took on water and became 
difficult to steer. As his tractor returned a second time to replenish 
supplies, the tractor stalled on the beach, and Mr. Caminiti repaired 
it while Japanese snipers were firing. The following morning, Mr. 
Caminiti returned to the beach, shuttling soldiers and supplies to the 
island, returning with the wounded for treatment aboard a ship docked 
offshore, saving the lives of many American soldiers.
  Mr. Caminiti still remembers seeing the flag raised over Mt. 
Suribachi, now one of the most famous photos in history. ``We never 
thought it was going to be a historical thing. The first time, you 
couldn't really see it. They called for a bigger flag. I saw the bigger 
flag go up. We had a clear look at it. We looked right at it, and I 
said. `it's about time!' ''
  After spending more than a month on Iwo Jima, Mr, Caminiti embarked 
to Maui, Hawaii, to retrieve new equipment to be used in the invasion 
of Japan. Before they could redeploy, Japan had surrendered to the US, 
and the war had ended.
  Returning to the U.S., Mr. Caminiti met and married Germaine La 
Fleur, with whom he raised his three children. Mr. Caminiti's service 
to his community did not end with his military service. He helped raise 
funds to construct an Iwo Jima Memorial in Connecticut, volunteered at 
his church, and fundraised for the Woody William Foundation.
  In 2025, Mr. Caminiti returned to Iwo Jima, now called Iwo To, to 
participate in remembrance services. He placed one of three wreaths 
alongside the Japanese Prime Minister, and he carried with him leaflets 
containing the names of the 100 soldiers from Connecticut who died 
during the Battle of Iwo Jima, which he circulated during his trip.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my gratitude to Joe 
Caminiti for his service to our country.

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