Dick Lugar: “I rise today in recognition of the 68th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943, under orders…”

“I rise today in recognition of the 68th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily. On July 10, 1943, under orders from GEN Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Fifteenth Army Group, comprised of GEN George Patton's Seventh Army and British GEN Bernard Montgomery's Eighth Army, began the Allied invasion of the island of Sicily, termed Operation Husky. Prior to the ground invasion, brave Allied pilots softened the Axis defenses with heavy aerial bombardment. In the early hours of July 10, Allied ground forces successfully landed on enemy shores with little resistance. Over the next few days Allied forces continued on with much success. On July 11 and 12 enemy forces attempted numerous counterattacks, all of which were repelled by the skill and determination of the American forces. On July 22, an element of GEN Patton's Seventh Army captured the city of Palermo, the news of which so inspired the Italian people that on July 24 and 25 a palace revolt took place toppling the fascist government of Mussolini. On July 31 Italian and German forces, faced with certain defeat, began a tactical withdrawal from Sicily. One of the heroes of the action of July 31 received the Medal of Honor. Near Gagliano, Sicily, SGT Gerry H. Kisters, of Bloomington, IN, and nine other soldiers ``. . . were advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano,'' the award citation reads, and ``. . .…”