[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 143]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 143]]

A TRIBUTE TO HENRY SCIARONI ON THE OCCASION OF BEING AWARDED THE BRONZE 
                                  STAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 6, 2001

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, 56 years ago Lt. Hank Sciaroni led a group of 
U.S. troops through hostile Nazi territory after his bomber crash-
landed on an Italian beach. His heroics went unrecognized until 
December 18, 2000 when he was finally honored for his valor with the 
Bronze Star.
  On October 20, 1944, when Lt. Sciaroni realized that his B-24 
Liberator bomber wasn't going to make it back, he told his pilot to 
crash land on the Italian beach below because he knew that the B-24 was 
a heavy plane that would sink before the crew could get out.
  It was not the only time Lt. Sciaroni would have to think quickly. 
After the wheels-up crash landing, Lt. Sciaroni took command of one of 
the three groups created by the downed crew members. For the next two 
weeks Lt. Sciaroni used his training, his quick thinking and his 
ability to speak Italian not only to evade capture and get his group 
back to safety, but to collect vital intelligence along the way. The 
other two groups of crew members were captured by German forces. Lt. 
Sciaroni would have been recommended for a medal, but by the time he 
made it back to his squadron his commanding officer who would have 
nominated him had been killed in action. Lt. Sciaroni went back into 
action and served out the War.
  When I became aware of this war time story, I committed myself to 
secure the honor which had evaded this young and brave Lieutenant for 
56 years. While it is extremely rare for medals to be awarded so long 
after an episode has occurred, we searched the military archives for 
crew reports. Fortunately, Hank Sciaroni had saved a copy of a report 
the frontline unit made when he reached friendly forces. After 
petitioning the U.S. Army, they granted our request and Hank Sciaroni 
was finally honored.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor Hank Sciaroni with the 
Bronze Star. He represents the collective courage many of our soldiers 
displayed during WWII and we are a grateful and better nation because 
of him.

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