[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  HEROES  OF  D-DAY

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, yesterday, June 6, marked the 50th 
anniversary of the D-day invasion. In recognition of this important 
day, I request that the following statement be entered into the Record 
in tribute to those who participated and risked their lives in this 
historic event.
  On a single day, half a century ago next month, 156,000 Allied troops 
landed in the province of Normandy, France, in one of the boldest 
invasions of World War II. Allied paratroopers filled the skies, and 
soldiers stormed ashore along a 60-mile stretch of beach in what would 
be one of the greatest amphibious operations in military history. It 
was D-day, June 6, 1944, and the Allies had launched their campaign to 
liberate France and overthrow Nazi Germany.
  The Allied command spent nearly a year planning for the day. Three 
million fighting men and women and 16 million tons of materiel were 
assembled in England from all over the world.
  As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic event, I 
would like to recognize some of the outstanding Americans who risked 
their lives for our country and for the cause of democracy. Many of 
those brave soldiers either came from or now reside in my home State of 
Florida.
  Representative Sam Gibbons, a native of Tampa, FL, where his family 
has lived for a century, is the only Member of the 103d Congress who 
took part in the D-day invasion. Sam was a 24-year-old captain in the 
paratroops when the invasion was launched and was among the 12,000 
parachutists from the 101st and 82d Airborne Divisions that dropped 
into Normandy before dawn on June 6. Nearly 1,000 planes took part in 
the assault that preceded the landing on the beaches at 6:30 a.m. by 
the American infantry forces.
  Sam was the third man out of his plane and dropped 800 feet to a hard 
landing with over 35 pounds of ammunition and equipment on his back. In 
the darkness, Captain Gibbons and his unit landed at least 6 miles from 
the planned drop zone, an area crawling with 70,000 German troops. He 
has recently written a gripping account of his night drop and the 
ensuing events as he and his small unit fought their way back to their 
main units battling for a foot hold in the occupied French soil.
  When asked why his memories of that day are so vivid after almost 50 
years, he observed,

       For most of us, the rest of the war seems to be a blur with 
     a few high spots that we can remember, but D-day and the day 
     following seemed to be burned into our memories. Perhaps it 
     was because it was our first brush with the enemy and death.

  Capt. Robert M. Piper, a retired colonel living in Daytona Beach, FL, 
was a regimental adjutant on D-day and was presented with a Bronze Star 
for his actions. As he recalls,

       We jumped--everyone was ready for fresh air, come what 
     may--and landed in a farmyard. * * * German patrols and 
     ground troops were alerted, and our contact with them 
     increased. There were strong firefights inside the town. * * 
     * The division had 57 percent casualties. * * * But the 
     American flag was flying in Ste. Mere-Eglise on D-day.

  First Lt. Joseph Miller, now retired and living in Sun City Center, 
FL, was among the troops in the first wave that landed at Utah Beach on 
D-day. He remembers the day well.

       Our mission was to establish the beachhead, but then we had 
     to fight our way inland to meet the paratroopers and the 
     glider troops that had come in during the night. * * * I saw 
     paratroopers that were shot by the enemy hanging in the 
     trees. And there was this paratrooper lieutenant colonel, he 
     had his .45-caliber pistol in his hand. There was a German 
     kitchen train pulled by horses. He had shot both horses and a 
     couple of guys, and then somebody got him. He was just laying 
     there on the road.

  In the face of this horrible nightmare, Joseph Miller found the 
courage and strength to fulfill his mission.
  I am proud today to offer my deepest gratitude to the deceased and 
living American veterans of this great battle. We honor their love of 
country and willingness to die in defense of our highest principles.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Breaux). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Chair will make an announcement.
  Under the previous order, we are in a period for the transaction of 
morning business not to extend beyond the hour of 3:30 p.m. with 
Senators permitted to speak therein for not to exceed 5 minutes each.
  The Chair recognizes the Senator from North Carolina.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted 
to proceed for no more than 5 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. HELMS. I thank the Chair.

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