[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 98 (Monday, July 25, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  HONORING THE LATE GEN. LESLEY McNAIR

  Mr. DURENBERGER. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the passing of one of the greatest Minnesotans in 
history.
  I must tell my colleagues that a mere 6 weeks ago I did know that 
this man was a great Minnesotan. I was walking the incredible cemetery 
at Deauville above Omaha Beach after the 50th anniversary speeches had 
concluded, and I saw a simple stone that said Lesley J. McNair, 
Minnesota, July 25, 1944. I said could it be the Lesley J. McNair of 
Fort McNair?
  I came home with a list of others as well, but in this particular 
case I came home to find out that 50 years ago today it is true that 
Gen. Lesley J. McNair, the son of a merchant in town of Verndale, MN, 
gave his life so that Europe and the rest of the world might be free.
  Lesley McNair was the highest ranking, and I believe may still be the 
highest ranking U.S. Army officer ever to be killed on the front lines. 
The news reached Verndale on August 3, 1944: General McNair had been 
killed by a misdirected bomb in St. Lo, France. It was just shortly 
after the so-called breakout at St. Lo in which our colleague Fritz 
Hollings participated. He was observing action during Operation Cobra, 
the Army's push into mainland Europe. Flags went to half mast in 
Verndale that day, but pride intermingled with sadness.

  All Minnesotans--all Americans--can take pride in the courage and 
leadership that he displayed in that campaign. Gen. George Marshall was 
right when he called General McNair a classic soldier, superior in 
every field.
  General Marshall also pointed out that the astonishing successes of 
the Armies--McNair--organized and train- ed constitute the only praise 
that he desired. The aggressive spirit that General McNair instilled in 
our men was the driving force of his own character.
  He was a warrior not of blood and iron, but of the heart. He knew 
that victory for democracy could come only from what was in the hearts 
of our people, not what was in the barrels of our guns.
  Lesley McNair was born on May 25, 1883, in Verndale, what was then a 
farming and mercantile community of 1,500 in Wadena County, 150 miles 
northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
  He graduated from West Point at the age of 21, and saw service under 
Gen. John J. Pershing, first in Mexico and then in France in the First 
World War. For his outstanding service, he was awarded both the 
Distinguished Service Medal and the French Legion of Honor.
  In 1940, he was made major general--and undertook the reorganization 
of general headquarters at the Army War College. In 1941, he became a 
lieutenant general and commanding general of the Army Ground Forces. 
Chris Gabel has written of McNair's training skills, in which he still 
has no peers, in a book entitled ``Louisiana Maneuvers.''
  McNair, at the time of his death, had already received a Purple Heart 
for being wounded in the African campaign, when he met his destiny at 
the battle of St. Lo, 50 years ago today.
  General McNair understood that courage and preparedness--together--
are necessary building blocks of victory. It is for his organizational 
genius that he has been nicknamed ``A Maker of Armies''--and for his 
courage that he is recognized as a national hero.
  Mr. President, those who are stationed today at Fort McNair in 
Washington, DC, have a truly proud example to live up to. Indeed, all 
Americans can find in General McNair a model of the virtues that built 
and protected this country for the last two centuries. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in commemorating this important anniversary.
  Mr. President I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The absence of a quorum has been suggested. 
The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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