U.S. Senate Unanimously Designates National WWII Italian Campaign Remembrance Day, Announces The Allies Museum

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the unanimous passage of S. Res. 432 on October 6, 2025, the U.S. Senate has established National World War II Italian Campaign Remembrance Day, The Allies Museum announced. The bipartisan resolution was led by U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Ranking Member Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). The measure represents the first formal federal recognition dedicated to the Italian Campaign, honoring the nearly one million Americans who served in the 602-day struggle to liberate Italy and underscoring the urgency of preserving their memory with fewer than half a percent of World War II veterans still living—82 years after the campaign began.

Designated as the remembrance day for the Campaign, the date recalls September 9, 1943 when American forces landed at Salerno and along the Amalfi Coast to launch Operation Avalanche, beginning the liberation of mainland Italy from German occupation. Coming just one day after the announcement of the armistice with Italy, which would soon thereafter join the Allied effort, U.S. forces pressed forward in their longest continual combat campaign of World War II, which included the first unit combat jump by U.S. paratroopers, the largest amphibious landing of the war to that point, and the liberation of Rome, the first European capital to be freed from Nazi occupation.

The Italian campaign was an uphill battle fought in rugged, heavily fortified mountains, in cold winter conditions, and through populated towns and cities. It was the costliest campaign on the Western Front in terms of infantry casualties, with more than 150,000 American casualties, including over 60,000 killed or missing and 92,000 wounded. Today, more than 12,000 Americans are laid to rest in the Sicily–Rome American Cemetery and the Florence American Cemetery.

In spite of its enormous sacrifice and military importance, the Italian Campaign has been described as the "forgotten campaign." The Senate resolution seeks to address that neglect by not only designating the day of remembrance, but also by supporting all commemorative efforts from grassroots educational programs to institutional initiatives.

According to Senator Moran, "I introduced a resolution to establish the 'National World War II Italian Campaign Remembrance Day' to commemorate the valor of our veterans and ensure their legacy endures for generations to come. Eighty-two years ago, Allied forces launched Operation Avalanche, marking the start of the liberation of the Italian peninsula from fascist Nazi occupation. This military campaign was a testament to the unyielding resolve of U.S. Forces and the strength of our foreign military alliances, united by a shared commitment to democratic ideals and the fight against fascism."

According to The Allies Museum Founding Director, Reed Cataldo, "We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Moran, Scott, Reed, Blackburn, Boozman, and Sheehy. This resolution is an important symbol not only for our museum, but for its underlying mission of honoring the nearly one million Americans who answered our nation's call to stand together in defense of the free world, and a long overdue moment of pride for their families, whose sacrifice and legacy we are committed to preserving for future generations."

The resolution requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to commemorate the Italian Campaign and express gratitude to those who gave their lives and all who served to defend freedom.

The Allies Museum is a 501(c)(3) Delaware nonprofit creating a museum in Rome, Italy to honor more than two million men and women from 13 nations who liberated Italy in World War II.

Press contact: Alessandra Rossi, 202-498-2328, [email protected]

SOURCE The Allies Museum