Gibson Bill Will Rename Post Office
For WWII Medal Of Honor Winner
WASHINGTON D.C. – Otsego County’s congressman, Chris Gibson, R-19th, announced a few minutes ago that the House of Representatives approved legislation he authored to rename the Post Office at 90 Cornell St. in Kingston in honor of Staff Sgt. Robert H. Dietz, a Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action during World War II.
The bill passed the House today, September 24, with unanimous bipartisan support.
“Having served for most of my adult life in the U.S. Army and lost some of my own soldiers in combat, I have been especially proud to help my colleagues in Congress recognize Staff Sergeant Dietz and the heroism, bravery, and devotion to the cause of freedom that he personifies,” said Gibson.
VIDEO OF CONGRESSMAN GIBSON’S REMARKS ON HOUSE FLOOR
Dietz, a Kingston native, was killed in action at the age of 24 March 29, 1945, at Kirchain, Germany. He had advanced through intense enemy fire to disconnect bridge demolition charges and neutralize bazooka teams defending the road into town.
“By his intrepidity and valiant effort on his self-imposed mission, [Staff Sergeant Dietz] single-handedly opened the road for the capture of Kirchain and left with his comrades an inspiring example of gallantry in the face of formidable odds,” reads the text of the Medal of Honor citation from the Army.
“Congress has a very special role to play in assuring the men and women who serve our nation in uniform are afforded the recognition and care they deserve,” said Congressman Gibson. “My staff includes several veterans, and we stand ready to assist current and former service members—or any constituent – with a host of issues involving the federal government. As always, I encourage residents of the 19th Congressional District to contact me to let me know how we can be helpful.”
Congressman Gibson’s legislative efforts include the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, a bipartisan bill he authored to support sailors exposed to Agent Orange. He is also the co-author of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which was signed into law last year, expanding peer-to-peer counseling and growing the ranks of mental health professionals across the military and VA system.
Congressman Gibson, a veteran of seven deployments, spoke about Staff Sergeant Dietz on the floor of the House of Representatives today.