USS Anzio Visits Historic Namesake

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet public affairs

ANZIO, Italy � Sailors from USS Anzio (CG 68) visited the famous World War II beachhead and battleground for which the ship has been named after here, Nov. 14.

The crew honored the sacrifices of the 28,000 men and women who died fighting to liberate Italy with a wreath-laying ceremony and a prayer was offered to honor all of the soldiers, sailors and airmen killed and for those missing in action.

At the completion of the ceremony, the crew went into the town of Anzio and saw the location of landing zone X-Ray where American forces landed on the early morning hours of Jan. 22, 1944. Dinner was provided by the town of Anzio and the crew enjoyed the friendship and bond that links the town and ship. Captain Frank Olmo, Anzio's commanding officer, placed a wreath in the waters of Anzio's harbor and offered words of appreciation to the soldiers and sailors past and present that fought for freedom.

"The trip to Anzio put into perspective the many sacrifices that generations of Americans have made before us," said Olmo. "The officers and crew of Anzio have a new found sense of pride for their namesake, 'Anzio, Stand and Fight!'".

Anzio, a guided missile cruiser homeported in Norfolk, Va. is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.