U.S. Senator Jack Reed recently marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day with a special ceremony honoring World War II veteran Louis Gautieri Jr., 87, of Johnston.
Gautieri finally received the military awards he earned for his service more than 67 years after coming home.
Reed presented Gautieri with a number of awards -- including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star appurtenance, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Discharge Button and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin -- in recognition of his dedicated and loyal Navy service.
During World War II, Gautieri served in the Pacific from 1944-46 as a seaman first class. He was just 18 when he joined the Navy. He served with the 144th Company, spending most of his time based in Guam.
"On this 70th anniversary of D-Day, we are reminded of the uncommon courage and extraordinary selflessness of our World War II veterans like Mr. Gautieri, who humbly exemplifies why they call his 'the greatest generation.' Louis was just a teenager when he signed up to defend his country, and today we honor that commitment with a small token of our enduring gratitude and respect," said Reed, a former Army Ranger and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Asked what the ceremony and medals meant to him, Gautieri replied, "It means we can close the war. After 67 years, I can put this in the past."
The attention to orders from the medal ceremony lauded Gautieri's "dedication to duty ... in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy and the United States of America."
The orders continued: "Our nation and the state of Rhode Island gives our grateful thanks to Mr. Gautieri for his dedicated and loyal service to the United States Navy."
“This is the fabric of Rhode Island,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) about Block Island. “I often tell people to come to the island. It’s a wonderful place to live and visit. I think it’s one of the loveliest places in the country.”
SOUTH KINGSTOWN - The University of Rhode Island will receive more than $475,000 in federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to launch a multiyear project...
Senate Democrats demanded that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) do more to protect investors.
Mayor Scott Avedisian never thought he’d see the day when he and a group of dignitaries would celebrate $250 million in improvement projects at T.F. Green Airport that had long been opposed by the city.
The state Department of Environmental Management, in partnership with the fishermen of Newport, hosted a grand opening last week at State Pier Nine in Newport for the new Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen.
With the U.S. Senate expected to consider legislation that would lower student loan payments, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse held a discussion Thursday...