St. Matthew’s Parish School held a Veterans Day Chapel service today, November 11, with a special tribute to Colonel Jeffrey S. Palazzini, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer whose recent work holds profound significance not only for the school community, but also for many Pacific Palisades residents.
Palazzini, currently serving as Commander of the Alaska District, joined the service via video conference from Anchorage to share reflections on service, sacrifice, and community.
In early 2025, Palazzini was deployed to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ emergency response to the devastating Pacific Palisades Fire.
As commander of the Emergency Field Office – Palisades Fire, he oversaw one of the fastest and most extensive debris removal operations in California history. Under his leadership, USACE coordinated with FEMA, state, and local partners to clear over 1 million tons of fire debris from more than 4,000 properties. The operation, which involved over 450 USACE volunteers and 2,800 contractors, removed structural debris, hazardous trees, and contaminated materials, completing the mission months ahead of schedule.
Palazzini led the clean up at the St. Matthew’s campus working long hours for days and weeks, overseeing a crew of more than 50 people at times.
Head of School, Alley Michaelson said “One Sunday this past spring, I went up to campus to see for myself what was happening, and I ran into Col. Palazzini working with a crew to make sure our campus was on the path to recovery. He is a true role model and leads by example every day of the week.”
A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Palazzini also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a master’s degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University.
Palazzini has served in numerous leadership positions, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve, and as deputy commander of the Mosul Dam Task Force. His stateside assignments have included commanding the Charleston District (2017-2019), where he oversaw major civil works and military construction projects, and serving as an assistant professor at West Point.
His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, Combat Action Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge. He is married with two children and hails from Mercerville, New Jersey.
Palazzini, who has been in the U.S. Army for 26 years, described his assignment in the Palisades as an incredibly rewarding experience. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about his military service and his role in helping the Palisades—particularly his role in helping St. Matthew’s.
The ceremony also featured an American flag that was raised and lowered on December 7, 2024, at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, a powerful reminder of the lives lost, the bravery of those who served, and the enduring freedoms they fought to protect. The flag will be flown at the school’s campus in Pacific Palisades when it reopens in fall 2026.
“This day reminds us of the power of service and the importance of remembering those who protect our freedoms,” Michaelson said. “We’re especially grateful for the chance to honor someone who is part of our St. Matthew’s family.”
Army Corps of Engineers’ Jeff Palazzini stands in front of a truck weighing at a scale at Will Rogers State Historic Park. He spoke to St. Matthew students on Veterans Day.