[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 97 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO ALVIN UNGERLEIDER

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 1994

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the 
greatest undertaking in the history of war: the D-day landing on the 
beaches of Normandy. I rise today to honor one of the soldiers of 
democracy who went ashore at Omaha Beach on the morning of June 6, 
1944.
  Alvin Ungerleider was a second lieutenant, just 22 years old, when he 
led a platoon of 50 men onto Omaha Beach and up the gully the Allies 
had named E-1. When their assault was slowed by German mines, 
Lieutenant Ungerleider led his men of Company L, 3d Battalion of the 
115th Regiment, 29th Division, through the minefields to join the 
battle to free the town of St. Laurent-sur-Mer.
  For his valor at Normandy, Lieutenant Ungerleider was awarded the 
Bronze Star. Later that summer, he would receive his second Bronze Star 
while fighting to liberate the French city of Brest.
  Al Ungerleider was wounded twice during the first month of the Allied 
invasion, yet he fought on through France and Germany. when the German 
Army fell, he brought freedom to the inmates of a Nazi death camp he 
liberated near Nordhausen.
  Al Ungerleider had been raised in the bitter realities of the 
Depression, then was drafted from his hometown of Carbondale, PA. At 
first a citizen soldier, Al Ungerleider then stayed on in the Army for 
36 years. He served first as an Infantry officer, later in Armor.
  He fought again in both Korea and Vietnam. In Vietnam, while 
commanding the Bien Hoa Tactical Unit, he spent his free time working 
with a Vietnamese orphanage.
  Throughout his military career, he served not only his country, but 
his religion. In 1955, while stationed at Monterey, CA, he started its 
first Sunday School for Jewish children. During his military career, he 
was dedicated to Jewish life wherever he lived.
  He rose to the rank of colonel and retired in 1978 after commanding 
the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. During his military service, 
he was the recipient of three Legions of Merit.
  At Aberdeen, he received awards from both the Secretary of the Army 
and the NAACP for establishing Equal Opportunity programs.
  On June 6, 1994, Al Ungerleider was selected from among the thousands 
of D-day veterans to escort President Clinton at the American Cemetery 
at Colleville. Colonel Ungerleider walked alongside the President on 
the 50th anniversary of D-day. They laid a wreath to honor all who 
fought and died in the battle to liberate Europe. As President Clinton 
said that day, ``When they were young, these men saved the world.''
  A leader of the 29th Division Association, Alvin Ungerleider believes 
that it is his responsibility to teach us all the lessons of D-day, 
that nothing worth having is given freely. He hopes his generation, and 
particularly those who fought to liberate France and the world, has 
taught young Americans that when the choice is between fighting for 
freedom or abandoning freedom, we must fight.

                          ____________________