SENATE RESOLUTION 13

(By Senators Romano, Martin, Weld, Stollings, Lindsay, Jeffries, and Maroney)

[Introduced March 5, 2021]

Recognizing Benjamin Portaro, decorated combat veteran of the United States Army in World War II and centenarian.

Whereas, Benjamin “Ben” Portaro was born in Caulonia, Italy, and settled with his family in Anmoore, Harrison County, West Virginia, at the age of three; and

Whereas, Benjamin Portaro started school, learned English, and helped his parents with their new language while enjoying a great childhood and learning his life-long love of gardening from his father; and

Whereas, As a young man, Benjamin Portaro worked for the H. H. Robertson Company performing contract construction work at the Carbon Plant in Anmoore, where he quickly became a supervisor; and

Whereas, In 1943, Benjamin Portaro entered the United States Army, attaining the rank of staff sergeant, and serving on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg, where he was wounded but continued to fight; and

 Whereas, On January 2, 1945, Benjamin Portaro was captured as a prisoner of war by the Nazis along with fellow soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division and forced to walk many miles to the German prison camp Stalag 12A, while being forced to bury the bodies of villagers who had been killed in bombings and attacks along the way; and

Whereas, During a forced march on April 8, 1945, Benjamin Portaro and a fellow prisoner made a daring escape after dark and hid from their German captors until they were rescued by the U.S Army three days later; and

Whereas, Benjamin Portaro was honorably discharged from the United States Army on October 13, 1945, and for his service was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the WW II Honorable Service Lapel Pin Button, and the Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar; and

Whereas, After the war, Benjamin Portaro and his wife Claire, to whom he was married for 69 years prior to her passing in 2011, raised their seven children in a home he built in Clarksburg, which features a large garden with tomatoes grown from seeds he brought from Italy; and

Whereas, Benjamin Portaro is a member of St. James Catholic Church, past commander of the West Virginia Department of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, past commander of the Barbed-Wire Mountaineer Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Fairmont Knights of Columbus; and

Whereas, Benjamin Portaro is the last surviving member of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival’s Honorary Council who was born in Italy; and

Whereas, Benjamin Portaro will celebrate his 100th birthday on March 8, 2021; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes Benjamin Portaro, decorated combat veteran of the United States Army in World War II and centenarian; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate sends its best wishes to Benjamin Portaro on his 100th birthday and extends it most sincere gratitude and appreciation for his service to his state and country; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Benjamin Portaro.