Jeffrey A. Palazzo
FDNY Rescue 5, USCGR

• MK1 Jeffrey A. Palazzo, USCGR, 33, of Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 11, 2001. He was serving with the New York City Fire Department at World Trade Center recovery operations when it collapsed. He had been a member of the Coast Guard Reserve since 1988 and drilled at Station New York. His remains were not recovered. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; two daughters, Nicole, 4, and Samantha, 1. A funeral Mass was held Oct. 9 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church with full military honors.

A True American Hero

MK1 Jeff Palazzo was a reservist at Station New York. He was also a firefighter with FDNY Rescue 5. On the morning of Sept. 11, Jeff and 10 of his Rescue 5 brothers gave the ultimate sacrifice while saving countless lives in the evacuation of the World Trade Center (WTC).

For those of us that worked with Jeff, this heroism came as no surprise. We also realize that even if Jeff had known that this would be his last day on earth, he would not have changed a thing. Jeff had always been a true American hero. I had the honor and privilege of serving with him while on active duty at Station Rockaway, N.Y. between 1989 and 1993. He was the consummate professional, who did not accept anything less than 100 percent. He made me a better petty officer, shipmate, and American. His confidence, energy, strong moral values, and commitment to his family and the Coast Guard was a source of inspiration for everyone who worked with him. Jeff approached everyday as he approached the attack on the WTC. His love of his fellow Americans and his love of Station Rockaway, and everything the unit stood for never wavered.

Jeff was involved in many high profile cases. This included the sinking of the Bronx Queen, a charter boat that sank off the Rockaways in rough seas during the winter of 1989. Seventeen of the 19 persons on board were successfully saved from the freezing Atlantic Ocean. Again, when the Golden Venture grounded in the rough surf, Jeff was directly responsible for saving dozens of the almost 300 Chinese migrants.

The stories are endless with Jeff — he never considered himself or his safety. I’ve been blessed to know Jeff and to have met his wonderful family. He was a hero long before Sept. 11.

— CWO2 Bill Lyness, USCGR, Mattawan, N.J.