HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF WILLIAM "BILL" SCARANO

HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF WILLIAM "BILL" SCARANO

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 57 (Thursday, March 26, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 57 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E275-E276] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF WILLIAM ``BILL'' SCARANO ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Thursday, March 26, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a true patriot, Mr. William ``Bill'' Scarano who passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 101. Bill was a proud and upstanding resident of Groton, Connecticut. In October 2024, I had the honor of interviewing Mr. Scarano for a veteran's history project and listen to stories from his military service, career as a fireman in the City of Groton, and numerous other achievements. It was an honor and pleasure to converse with him about his extraordinary service to our Nation and community. He was very down-to-earth and self-deprecating even though he was at center of some of the most pivotal moments of World War II. His life of public service deserves to be celebrated and recognized. Throughout his life, Bill dedicated himself to his family, community, and country. At the age of 18, Bill felt the call for service and joined the Navy. He was officially sworn into the Navy in 1943 and went on to graduate from Submarine School based in Groton, Connecticut. Bill was happy to learn that upon graduation, he was assigned to his first choice of assignment and stay in Groton at the Electric Boat Company. Soon after in May 1944, he departed for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Sealion (SS-315) as a Coxwain 1. Bill completed numerous patrols on the USS Sealion, sinking Japanese naval transport ships, intercepting a Japanese convoy off the China coast, sinking a Japanese minelayer, and accomplishing other assigned duties. During his time on the Sealion, he was proud to be assigned as a bow planes man, referenced as one of the most impoltant posts of battle stations operations. Bill continued to serve in the Navy throughout WWII, traveling to Guam, Australia, the Philippines, and throughout the South China Sea until returning to San Francisco. His efforts earned him the Navy Commendation Medal for ``meritorious conduct in action . . . through his proficiency at his battle station which resulted in sinking enemy shipping totaling more than 28,000 tons and damaging over 25,000 tons''. He received numerous other military awards including the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia (with 2 gold and one silver star); Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign medal (with one bronze service star); Philippine Liberation Ribbon (with bronze service star); America Area Medal, Presidential Unit Citation; Submarine Combat Insignia (with 5 stars); and the World War II Victory medal. He was honorably discharged on March 10, 1946, and soon after returned to his hometown of Groton, Connecticut. Despite his military career coming to an end, Bill continued to serve his Nation by embodying the principals of a community steward. In the same year as his discharge, Bill [[Page E276]] joined the Eastern Point Volunteer Fire Department as a volunteer fireman. Bill's service earned him numerous promotions that led to his appointment as Chief and Fire Marshall of the City's Fire Department in 1968. He served in this role until his retirement in 1985. In 1978, Bill married the love of his life Anne (Bassette). The couple happily spent 47 years together. Together, they operated the Sea Romer Cafe for nearly 30 years, serving local residents and Electric Boat workers in the Groton area. In addition to his wife Anne, Bill is survived by his three children William, Jr., Patty, Michelle and their spouses, his grandsons Michael and Tyler, and his great grandchildren Marisa and Charlie. Bill was a well-known figure in his community and enjoyed being surrounded by others. At a celebration for this 100th birthday, he received an official diploma from Robert E. Fitch High School from Groton School officials, since he had left school in his junior year to join the Navy. For over 20 years, Bill spent his mornings having coffee with other Groton locals at Buford's Family Restaurant. He was a proud lifetime member of the Italian American Citizen Club of Groton and the Groton Lodge of Elks club, and the oldest member of the US Submarine Veterans Club in Groton. Bill's over 82 years of submarine qualification also made him the longest serving member of the prestigious Submarine Veterans Holland Club, which requires over 50 years of submarine qualification. Mr. Speaker, Bill Scarano was a highly respected and valuable member of the Groton and submarine communities. His military service, passion for serving and engaging with his community, and love for his friends and family leave a long-lasting legacy. I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in commemorating Mr. Scarano, to honor his life and service to our country. ____________________