chrissmith.house.gov

Smith, Chris

Washington, Mar 8 -

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith presented medals for three families of World War II veterans today at the Hamilton Township Library in the lower level meeting room.

“Today it is my high privilege to honor three extraordinarily brave veterans of World War II and to present to their families medals that should have been presented more than a half century ago,” said Smith, former Chairman of the House Veterans Committee.

“All three men not only served honorably, but went above and beyond the call of duty in defense of freedom.

“The nation honors their sacrifice and our gratitude is forever,” Smith said.

Smith read the following narratives of the events:

Cosmo E. Quattroni was a resident of Trenton when he answered the call to serve at the outbreak of World War II.

He served in the terrible battles of Corregidor and Bataan, the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Corregidor and Bataan before overwhelming Japanese forces in 1942 ended all organized opposition by the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East.

The island fortress of Corregidor, with its network of tunnels and formidable array of defensive armament, along with the fortifications across the entrance to Manila Bay, was the last remaining obstacle to the 14th Japanese Imperial Army.

Cosmo was captured and tortured to death in Philippine Military Prison Camp No. 1 by his Japanese captors.

He was reported to be captured on January 20, 1943 and died on July 1, 1943. He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in Plot A, Row 8, Grave 48. 

Cosmo paid the ultimate price in serving his country, and his story should be appropriately documented for his family and recognized by the federal goverment.

Here with us today are Cosmo’s family-- brother, Emil Quattroni, niece Marcine Kintzel, to accept these medals. Cosmo’s family now resides in Mercer County in nearby in Titusville. I note that Emil is himself a World War II veteran and received his awards upon his discharge from service, and is to be commended for working to bring the appropriate recognition of his brother’s service, which is an important part of his family history.

Cosmo is being awarded the Prisoner of War Medal and the Purple Heart posthumously. 

Robert Edward Hickman, was born January 6, 1925, and served in the United States Army from March 29, 1943 until discharged on December 4, 1945.

Robert was a Prisoner of War held in Stalag 7A in Bavaria, Germany, until the camp was liberated at the close of WWII.

Conditions at the camp were cramped and cold. Allied troops were underfed and underclothed, and found to be malnourished when liberated in 1945. They survived on occasional Red Cross deliveries. In a proud moment imprisoned U.S. forces refused their German captors demands to turn over Jewish-American soldiers, most probably saving their lives.

Mr. Hickman is to be awarded the Prisoner of War Medal and the Bronze Star.

The Pentagon has verified that these medals were not issued or presented to him before. Mr. Hickman, a former resdient of Ocean County, NJ, has recently moved to an assisted living/nursing home in Fanwood, New Jersey close to his daughters’ homes. 

Robert Hickman paid a heavy price in the great fight against Nazi Germany and for freedom and democracy. I am sorry he couldn’t come in person, but please present these medals to him on my behalf and on behalf of grateful Americans everywhere.

My office had been contacted by his son, Ken Hickman, of Jackson, NJ to accept award on behalf of his father who is unable to be here today.

Francis Schmidt died in 1983. His brother, Robert – in going through Francis’s papers one day – found his brother’s separation papers. It noted many medals including the Distinguished Service Medal.

He knew his brother had received the Purple Heart, but he also wanted to know under what circumstances his brother received the Distinguished Service Medal. It is the third highest medal given in the U.S. Army preceded only by the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross.

The National Personnel Records Center said Francis’s records were damaged or destroyed in a fire and so they could not find the actual reason why his brother received the Distinguished Service Medal. However, to meet the criteria for the medal, exceptional, meritorious performance in carrying out a great responsibility is required. So while we don’t know precisely what Francis did, we know it was a great act.

Francis Schmidt was a Combat Engineer and served on the Burma Road, one of the longest campaigns of the Allies in WWII, which included the largest defeat of Japanese land forces of the war in 1944, a battle that protected India.

The Burma Road, the link between China and India, was severed by the Japanese Army in 1942, and reopened by the Allies in 1945, putting the Japanese on the run and bringing us closer to an end of the war.

I thank Mr. & Mrs. Schmidt of Bordentown who are here to attend this presentation on behalf of Francis, who made a significant contribution to this important campaign.

 
Click here to read article in Trenton Times.

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