World War II Honoree

Thomas J. Florio

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

On September 21, 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and took his basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Later he was transferred to the USS Halt, Destroyer Escort 706, with the 7th Fleet. He saw service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations at Hollandia, New Guinea and Leyte. He took part in the Mindoro Campaign and the Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa invasions. He holds the American Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and WWII Victory Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. On April 13, 1946, he was honorably discharged from Lido Beach Separation Center under the Navy point system.