State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, recently inducted former West Islip resident Anthony Casamento posthumously into the New York State Senate’s Virtual Veterans Hall of Fame. The online gallery, which was unveiled on Veterans Day, honors exceptional veterans from all across New York State who have made significant contributions to our nation.

"I thought it very fitting that Anthony Casamento, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1980 for his heroism, be included in the initial unveiling of this exhibit. I am very honored to present this plaque posthumously to the Italian American War Veterans, whose post is named after Anthony Casamento."

Casamento enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940 and was assigned to the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was deployed to the southwest Pacific for the initial invasion of Japanese-held territory. A Corporal at the time, Casamento took part in the famed Marine assault on Guadalcanal in August, 1942. On November 1 of that year, while serving as leader of a machine gun squad, Corporal Casamento’s unit came under heavy fire near the Matanikau River. During the ensuing battle, all members of his unit were either killed or severely injured. Despite his own injuries, Casamento held the enemy at bay, thereby protecting the flanks of adjoining companies.

To mark the occasion, Senator Johnson presented the Anthony Casamento Post of the Italian American War Veterans with the plaque. Shown in the photo with Senator Johnson, second from left, from left to right, are: Post members Gene Henley, Lou LoGuirato, Ralph Panetta, Ralph Esposito, Joe Randazza and John Gerlett.

Those interested in seeing the Senate’s Online Veterans Hall of Fame can link to the site from Senator Johnson’s website http://www.senatorowenjohnson.net .