LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Anthony J. Costanzo upon the occasion of
his induction into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
distinguished veterans who are citizens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Anthony J. Costanzo upon the occasion of his induction into the New York
State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created
to honor veterans from New York State who have distinguished themselves
both in military and civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Anthony J. Costanzo, born on April 18, 1920, in Jamestown,
New York, served his country with distinction as a Combat Infantryman in
the United States Army, serving in various campaigns throughout Europe
and North Africa during World War II; and
WHEREAS, In January of 1941, 11 months before the Japanese bombing of
Pearl Harbor, Anthony J. Costanzo joined the Army's 1st Infantry Divi-
sion, the "Big Red One," and completed his basic training at Fort Jay in
New York City; and
WHEREAS, Part of "Operation Torch," Anthony J. Costanzo's unit entered
World War II in North Africa in the first American ground campaign
against Germany; Anthony fought in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass in
Tunisia and against the Vichy French government, which had sided with
Germany; and
WHEREAS, Following the surrender of the German Afrika Korps in May of
1943, Anthony J. Costanzo's unit took part in "Operation Husky" to take
Sicily; and
WHEREAS, The Army's 1st Infantry Division stormed Omaha Beach as part
of the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944; the unit fought on a strip of
beach near Coleville-sur-Mer; and
WHEREAS, Anthony J. Costanzo was assigned as an MP in Italy after the
Normandy Invasion; he served in that capacity until the end of World War
II; and
WHEREAS, Achieving the rank of Corporal, Anthony J. Costanzo was deco-
rated several times, earning two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, a Combat
Infantryman Badge, an Expert Rifleman Combat Badge, the American Defense
Badge, the World War II Army of Occupation Medal, the European African
Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal, the 1941-1944 World War II Medal and six
gold service bars; and
WHEREAS, After returning from the war, Anthony J. Costanzo worked in a
local furniture shop for 40 years before his retirement; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated family man, Anthony J. Costanza is the proud
father of three children and the loving grandfather of six grandchil-
dren; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated veteran, Anthony J. Costanzo serves as a member
of the American Legion, Vice Commander of the Color Guard for VFW Post
No. 53 and Sergeant Major of the firing squad for Vietnam Veterans of
America Post No. 865; and
WHEREAS, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those New York State veterans who have distinguished themselves in
military and civilian life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Anthony J. Costanzo upon the occasion of his induction into the
New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Anthony J. Costanzo.