The Hammonton Gazette 05/02/18 Edition | Page 4

Veteran Scaltrito honored after turning 100 SCALTRITO, from Page 1 appearance by his grandson Michael riley, a U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant who presented Scaltrito with a flag that was flown above the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Scaltrito said he was very surprised by the birthday party and commended Post 186 Commander David Colofranson for his active role in organizing all of the festivities, which continued later into the month when Scaltrito was honored during the town council meeting on april 23. Councilman thomas Gribbin presented Scaltrito with a proclamation during the meeting, thanking him for his heroic service with the fourth armored Division of the United States army as a Staff Sergeant under General George S. Patton. His military career spanned from february 10, 1942 until September 30, 1945 and included campaigns in Normandy, Northern france, the Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe and the rhineland Offensive, during which he received various accolades and medals, such as a Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster to denote a second wounding in battle, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European african Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and, decades after his service, the french Legion of Honor Medal—the french government’s highest national honor, which was presented to Scaltrito by order of the President of france. the proclamation also declared april 10, 2018 as “angelo Scaltrito Day” in honor of his 100th birthday. New Jersey Second Legislative District General assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John armato also attended the council meeting to thank Scaltrito for his service and present him with a letter from Governor Phil Murphy and a proclamation from the New Jersey General assembly. “tom Brokaw wrote a book called The Greatest Generation, and it had to do with those who were born or brought up, grown into the Great Depression and then went on to serve in the war. and many did this, not for recognition—lik