WHEREAS, Army Specialists Dominick M. Pilla, a 21-year-old resident of Vineland, Cumberland County, and Army Specialist James E. Smith, a 21-year-old resident of Washington Township, Monmouth County, were killed in battle on or about Sunday, October 3, 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia; and

WHEREAS, Specialists Pilla and Smith were stationed in Somalia as part of the United Nations' humanitarian relief efforts; and

WHEREAS, the provision of assistance to the needy and the downtrodden exemplifies this country's highest ideals; and

WHEREAS, these valiant New Jersey residents, both of whom were Army Rangers assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, sacrificed their lives in the service of their country to preserve and foster this ideal; and

WHEREAS, it is proper, fitting and just for the citizens of the State of New Jersey to honor the memory of Army Specialists Pilla and Smith, and to convey our deepest condolences to their families on this tragic occasion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours beginning on Thursday, October 7, 1993, and through and including Friday, October 8, 1993, in recognition and mourning of the passing of Army Specialists Dominick M. Pilla and James E. Smith.

2. This order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
6th day of October in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety-Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Eighteenth.

/s/ James Florio
Governor

Attest:

/s/ Scott A. Weiner
Chief Counsel to the Governor