Photo By Sgt. Cheri Cramutolo | Sgt. 1st Class Michael Connell from the Nevada National Guard plays the bag pipes...... read more read more
By Sgt. Cheri Cramutolo
Nevada National Guard Domestic Operations Public Affairs Office
RENO – Soldiers from across the state gathered together here April 15 to honor the state of Nevada's first state command sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Ensio Tosolini who passed away April 10 at the age of 90. Tosolini was the state's sergeant major from 1968-1978.
As the state sergeant major, Tosolini made recommendations on enlisted matters to the adjutant general and provided counsel and guidance to the state's soldiers.
"He formed the base line that our soldiers continue to use today," said Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Sitton, the current state command sergeant major.
Tosolini was the first command sergeant major of the Nevada Army Guard from 1968 to 1978. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 while in Reno and went into Europe through Omaha Beach with the 83rd Infantry a month after the D-Day landing in 1944. Tosolini was in several major campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, and received the Purple Heart, French War Cross and Silver Star medals.
Tosolini was captured but escaped and returned to his unit.
In 2005, Tosolini received the Nevada Prisoner of War Medal. His name is also the first listed in the Nevada Army National Guard Hall of Fame.
"Sgt. Maj. Tosolini was not only a great soldier, he was a great American and a friend," Sitton said.
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2008 16:48 |
| Story ID: | 18914 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 419 |
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