State Representative Parke Wentling | Pennsylvania 7th Legislative District
State Representative Parke Wentling | Pennsylvania 7th Legislative District
Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Mercer) announced today that World War II veterans William Alfonsi of Hermitage and Dominick Aluisia of New Castle will be awarded the French Legion d’honneur, France’s highest distinction, on Friday, Aug. 23, in Courtroom No. 2 of the Mercer County Courthouse at 3 p.m.
The Legion d’honneur, established by Napoleon Bonaparte, is awarded to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to France. The medals will be presented by Caroline Monvoisin, consul general of France in Washington, D.C.
“These two brave men exemplify the courage and dedication of their generation,” said Wentling. “It’s an incredible honor to witness them receiving such a prestigious recognition for their heroic actions during World War II.”
Tech. Sgt. William Alfonsi, 101, enlisted in late 1942, serving with the 118th Signal Radio Intelligence Company, U.S. Army. Before the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944, Alfonsi parachuted into occupied France, where he assisted French resistance forces in disrupting enemy operations. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.
Tech. Sgt. Dominick Aluisia, 101, joined the service in early 1943 as a power generation technician with Battery A, 231st AAA Searchlight Battalion, U.S. Army. Deployed to Cherbourg in the fall of 1944, his battalion played a crucial role in protecting and rebuilding the vital port using searchlights and radar. Aluisia was honorably discharged in March of 1946.
The ceremony will feature a keynote address by Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy, director of joint headquarters at Pennsylvania National Guard. U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly will also address the attendees.
The Mercer County Courthouse is located at 125 S. Diamond St., Mercer.
For more information about this event or the process of applying for the Legion d’honneur for living World War II veterans who fought in France:
Representative Parke Wentling
7th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
ntemple@pahousegop.com
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