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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as John B. Larson. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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July 9, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. JOHN B. LARSON
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable constituent, Joe Caminiti of Bristol, a 101-year-old World War II veteran whose service record includes storming the beaches of Iwo Jima and liberating Guam.
At age 18, Mr. Caminiti left school to join the US Marine Corps on behalf of his Nation. After training at Parris Island and Camp Lejune, Mr. Caminiti was deployed with the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion to New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and Guam.
island used by the Japanese military to launch airplanes that attacked Saipan and American bombers. The heavily fortified island had been under bombardment for 66 days, but the military was still unable to take control.
Mr. Caminiti was part of the 10th wave landing at Iwo Jima. While offloading troops, his amphibious tractor took on water and became difficult to steer. As his tractor returned a second time to replenish supplies, the tractor stalled on the beach, and Mr. Caminiti repaired it while Japanese snipers were firing. The following morning, Mr. Caminiti returned to the beach, shuttling soldiers and supplies to the island, returning with the wounded for treatment aboard a ship docked offshore, saving the lives of many American soldiers.
Mr. Caminiti still remembers seeing the flag raised over Mt. Suribachi, now one of the most famous photos in history. “We never thought it was going to be a historical thing. The first time, you couldn't really see it. They called for a bigger flag. I saw the bigger flag go up. We had a clear look at it. We looked right at it, and I said. `it's about time!' ”
to Maui, Hawaii, to retrieve new equipment to be used in the invasion of Japan. Before they could redeploy, Japan had surrendered to the US, and the war had ended.
Returning to the U.S., Mr. Caminiti met and married Germaine La Fleur, with whom he raised his three children. Mr. Caminiti's service to his community did not end with his military service. He helped raise funds to construct an Iwo Jima Memorial in Connecticut, volunteered at his church, and fundraised for the Woody William Foundation.
In 2025, Mr. Caminiti returned to Iwo Jima, now called Iwo To, to participate in remembrance services. He placed one of three wreaths alongside the Japanese Prime Minister, and he carried with him leaflets containing the names of the 100 soldiers from Connecticut who died during the Battle of Iwo Jima, which he circulated during his trip.