2023 Annual Memorial Day Observance

(Continued from Page 30) was commissioned as an Ensign and qualified as a Naval Aviator.

Mr. D’Angelo has flown over 4,000 hours, mostly in helicopters, and has completed 10 overseas deployments, 8 on aircraft carriers. He is credited with 15 life-saving rescues, including a dangerous ocean rescue during Hurricane Floyd.

His impressive resume also is on our website. But let me note Mr. D’Angelo was promoted to Captain, and his awards include 3 Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, and 5 Navy Commendations.

Mr. D’Angelo is happily married, living in Florida, and is a proud father of twins.

Michael D’Angelo served from 1970 to 1999 during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

A Morris Catholic graduate, Lt. Commander D’Angelo served in the U.S. Navy for 40 years from 1982 into 2022 and earned roughly 50 special military honors and awards for that service. He began his career as a Naval Air Crewman on various aircraft carriers supporting escorts for re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers, Iranian retaliatory strikes and operations in Libya.

Although heft active duty in 1986, he joined the Naval Reserve, was recalled on 9/11 and was commissioned a Naval Cryptologic Officer in 2003.

His deployments included Afghanistan, and his many assignments included the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, commanding the Navy Operational Support Center in Pennsylvania, working in the Pentagon, serving on the Chief of Naval Operations staff, serving the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and the Navy Personnel Command in Tennessee.

Michael’s son, David, is currently a Chief Petty Officer and Navy Seabee Diver.

He is a recipient of the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He was awarded the NonCommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, New Jersey Ribbon of Merit, New Jersey Governor Award, National Guard Unit Strength, and NJ Meritorious Service Medal.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bloomfield College and was CEO of Wayne Camera Center. He is a member of the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, and a Master Mason.

Joel and his wife Sharon have been married for 55 years. They have one son and two grandsons.

Joel Lebowitz

Veteran of the U.S. Army and New Jersey National Guard who Joel Lebowitz