Patchogue, NY - October 17, 2018 - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) presented 96-year-old World War II Veteran Sergeant James Rizzo with a tribute the Congressman entered into the Congressional Record to honor his service and sacrifice. The ceremony took place at Arbor Assisted Living in Islandia where Sergeant Rizzo currently resides.
The text of the Congressional Record is as follows:
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of James (Jimmy) Rizzo. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, in the shadow of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, his draft notice arrived in 1942. Mr. Rizzo was sent to Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri for basic training, and upon completion of his training, he was assigned to the 96th Battalion and transferred to Louisiana.
In 1943, he arrived in the Burmese theater, where he would be stationed to serve. Mr. Rizzo was constantly on the move in Burma. His duty was retrieving supplies and packages by airdrop from dangerous jungles and terrains, ensuring these supplies arrived at their military and medical destinations on time and intact. The job was a dangerous one, and during his time in Burma he faced two near-death situations.
Having been promoted from Private to Corporal and then to Sergeant, he was awarded the African and Burma Stars. For his service and sacrifice, our nation will always be indebted to Sergeant Rizzo, and his bravery and selflessness then and now continues to inspire us all.”