I had the honor of joining the family and friends WWII Veteran Nick Cominos in a ceremony to present several medals on Saturday, December 1, 2001, just days before the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. These medals are a long-overdue recognition of his heroic efforts in the Dalmation Islands and Greece as part of a covert reconnaissance operation that led to the retreat of the Nazis from the area in 1944.

Federal military decorations are awarded to members of the armed forces exhibiting valor and self-sacrifice, the heroic acts of Mr. Nick Cominos are worthy of such an honor.

Almost 58 years ago, on Christmas Eve Nick Cominos and his Company boarded the liberty Ship, Pierre L’enfant, to join a large convoy to the Atlantic. Thirty-one days later Cominos’ Company landed on the only one of the Dalmation Islands in Adriatic Sea not occupied by the Nazis, the Island of Vis.

From their base on the Island of Vis, Company C raided the Nazi occupied Island of Solta. Within two days, Company C and their allies had captured the island. This was not without a cost. Company C lost one man and six others were wounded, including Nick Cominos.

After recuperating and returning to Vis, in August of 1944, Mr. Cominos and his Company C were deployed to Greece where they parachuted behind enemy lines and conducted covert reconnaissance missions to disrupt the German occupation of Greece. The Nazis retreated from Greece in November of 1944, at which time the Greek/American Operational Group was disbanded.

The type of covert ground operations first used by Mr. Cominos and the men of Company C, 2671st Reconnaissance Battalion of the Office of Strategic Services are now being used to help fight the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Mr. Cominos and other World War II veterans have received numerous medals commemorating their service to this country during the war. However, because the records of the Office of Strategic Service were classified until 1988, the individual acts of bravery of Mr. Cominos and Company C have not been officially recognized.

Friday, December 7, 2001 is the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Many have drawn parallels between the terrorists attacks of September 11th and Pearl Harbor.

We have a living parallel. A WWII veteran and his Company who pioneered the types of special covert operations which are helping to bring closure to the tragic events of September 11.

In a time of national emergency, when we are once again engaged in military operations on foreign soil in an international effort to defend freedom, it is important to praise those who have served our country so courageously in the past and whose actions make them role models for our troops in Afghanistan and in future military efforts.

It is my honor to publicly recognize Mr. Nick Cominos for his acts of courage, heroism, and sacrifice in WWII.

From left: Major Frost, Andrew Mousalimas, Nick Cominos, George Miller and Alex Phillips

Major Frost, Nick Cominos and George Miller

Nick Cominos and George Miller