Floor Speech2026-06-02

HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II

Context

On 2026-06-02, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II" in the House.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E512] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II ______ HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN of new jersey in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and to honor East Brunswick, New Jersey's native son, Technical Sergeant Philip Streczyk, a distinguished World War II veteran. Tomorrow marks 82 years since Philip and the men of the 16th Infantry Company, 1st Infantry Division, led the charge up the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach. Technical Sergeant Streczyk showed incredible courage and tactical skill to guide his men off the beaches despite incredible enemy fire. He also displayed resilience and innovation to find a pathway up the mine-laden bluffs safely. His company commander, Captain Ed Wozenski stated ``I think that he's the greatest unsung hero of World War II. To the best of my knowledge, he was the first one on the beach and it was the path that he took that I picked up. The rest of our battalion followed, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, and then later on I think almost the whole corps went up that same path.'' That pathway became a leading edge for our troops to storm Normandy, fight amongst the hedgerows deeper inland and ultimately, defeat the Germans. Philip's actions truly began the liberation of France from the grip of tyranny. Captain Wozenski went on to say: ``If [Streczyk] did not earn a Congressional Medal of Honor, no one did.'' Philip's bravery didn't stop at the beachhead. He proceeded to take out a deadly machine gun nest and capture several Polish prisoners of war. General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery would later present him personally with the Distinguished Service Cross and British Military Medal. All told, Streczyk served nearly 440 days straight in combat from North Africa to Sicily to Normandy through to the Hurtgen Forest. His combat valor is unmatched and was dubbed by The Central Jersey Home News a ``one-man invasion.'' He was the recipient of a Silver Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and several more decorations. Like many of the Greatest Generation, Philip lived a simple, humble life upon returning home to New Jersey. He raised his 4 kids with his wife, Sophie, and worked as a mason and builder and was active in Veterans organizations, but, sadly, the toll of warfare caught up with him. A gangrenous neck wound suffered during combat led to daily, intolerable pain. Streczyk took his own life in 1958 at just 39 years old. Technical Sergeant Streczyk is buried in a small, hidden family plot in a residential cul-de-sac in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Streczyk was never given true recognition by his hometown and state for his actions that preserved democracy. I rise today on behalf of New Jersey's 12th District to proudly honor this one-of-one military legend and American hero. We can never repay the debt we owe to Philip and his fellow Soldiers, but we can always honor and remember the sacrifices they made so that all of us may live freely today. We are eternally grateful to our Greatest Generation. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Technical Sergeant Philip Streczyk and his service to our country. ____________________

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HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E512] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TECHNICAL SERGEANT PHILIP STRECZYK FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II ______ HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN of new jersey in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and to honor East Brunswick, New Jersey's native son, Technical Sergeant Philip Streczyk, a distinguished World War II veteran. Tomorrow marks 82 years since Philip and the men of the 16th Infantry Company, 1st Infantry Division, led the charge up the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach. Technical Sergeant Streczyk showed incredible courage and tactical skill to guide his men off the beaches despite incredible enemy fire. He also displayed resilience and innovation to find a pathway up the mine-laden bluffs safely. His company commander, Captain Ed Wozenski stated ``I think that he's the greatest unsung hero of World War II. To the best of my knowledge, he was the first one on the beach and it was the path that he took that I picked up. The rest of our battalion followed, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, and then later on I think almost the whole corps went up that same path.'' That pathway became a leading edge for our troops to storm Normandy, fight amongst the hedgerows deeper inland and ultimately, defeat the Germans. Philip's actions truly began the liberation of France from the grip of tyranny. Captain Wozenski went on to say: ``If [Streczyk] did not earn a Congressional Medal of Honor, no one did.'' Philip's bravery didn't stop at the beachhead. He proceeded to take out a deadly machine gun nest and capture several Polish prisoners of war. General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery would later present him personally with the Distinguished Service Cross and British Military Medal. All told, Streczyk served nearly 440 days straight in combat from North Africa to Sicily to Normandy through to the Hurtgen Forest. His combat valor is unmatched and was dubbed by The Central Jersey Home News a ``one-man invasion.'' He was the recipient of a Silver Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and several more decorations. Like many of the Greatest Generation, Philip lived a simple, humble life upon returning home to New Jersey. He raised his 4 kids with his wife, Sophie, and worked as a mason and builder and was active in Veterans organizations, but, sadly, the toll of warfare caught up with him. A gangrenous neck wound suffered during combat led to daily, intolerable pain. Streczyk took his own life in 1958 at just 39 years old. Technical Sergeant Streczyk is buried in a small, hidden family plot in a residential cul-de-sac in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Streczyk was never given true recognition by his hometown and state for his actions that preserved democracy. I rise today on behalf of New Jersey's 12th District to proudly honor this one-of-one military legend and American hero. We can never repay the debt we owe to Philip and his fellow Soldiers, but we can always honor and remember the sacrifices they made so that all of us may live freely today. We are eternally grateful to our Greatest Generation. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Technical Sergeant Philip Streczyk and his service to our country. ____________________