[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4787-H4788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SALUTE TO LT. COL. HAROLD COHEN ON HIS RECEIPT OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
                                 CROSS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Chambliss] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to salute a remarkable man 
who is the subject of a remarkable story. Harold Cohen is a native of 
Spartanburg, SC. He is the son of a Russian immigrant.
  In 1942 Harold Cohen entered the Army of the United States of America 
as a private. Two and a half years later Harold Cohen was a major in 
the U.S. Army and a battalion commander. Ultimately Harold Cohen 
received the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.
  Colonel Cohen was a close personal friend and a colleague of 
Creighton Abrams. He and General Abrams served together as a part of 
General Patton's 3d Army. General Abrams was commander of the 37th Tank 
Battalion while Colonel Cohen commanded the 10th Armored Infantry 
Battalion.
  It has been said of Harold Cohen as follows:

       Often in the advance, Cohen's infantrymen would ride on 
     Abrams' tanks. Cohen himself, remembered his men, was in 
     constant motion. He sped up and down the column in a mud-
     splattered Jeep, pleading, coaxing and cursing. His high-
     pitched voice with his rich southern accent could be heard 
     from great distances. Abrams as a tanker was impressed that 
     infantry leaders like Cohen could motivate their men to move 
     forward under fire with nothing but their OD shirts for 
     protection and he often did so.

  Harold Cohen became a real World War II hero. For the exemplary 
service that Harold Cohen rendered to his country, Harold Cohen 
received four Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, 
the Legion of Merit, the French Croix de Guerre, and awards from 
Poland, England, Czechoslovakia, and Luxembourg.
  But the highest recognition of Harold Cohen was yet to come. Harold 
Cohen mustered out of the Army after the war and became a successful 
businessman in Tifton, GA. Creighton Abrams went on to become Chief of 
Staff of the U.S. Army.
  Dr. Lewis Sorley, who is a resident of Potomac, MD, wrote a book 
called ``Thunderbolt.'' ``Thunderbolt'' included a long history of the 
life of Creighton Abrams.
  During the course of writing that book, Dr. Sorley discovered that 
during the latter part of World War II, Harold Cohen was recommended 
for the Distinguished Service Cross by his men for bravery performed by 
Harold Cohen during an event that took place on February 25, 1945. The 
paperwork on this particular recommendation for the award of the 
Distinguished Service Cross for Harold Cohen unfortunately became lost 
during the process of the end of World War II.
  Dr. Sorley pursued the matter after he discovered this. He went to 
the U.S. Army, told them what had happened and thanks to his diligence, 
Harold Cohen today received the Distinguished Service Cross from Gen. 
Dennis Reimer, who is the current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
  The receipt today was very special, because Harold's wife Bettye; 
Harold's children Marty and Peggy; their grandchildren, Anna, Rachel, 
Michael, and Alan were also present.
  I would like to take just a minute to read the citation that was 
presented to Harold Cohen today.

       The President of the United States, authorized by an act of 
     Congress dated July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished 
     Service

[[Page H4788]]

     Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cohen, United States Army 
     Retired, for extraordinary heroism in action. Lieutenant 
     Colonel Harold Cohen distinguished himself by 
     extraordinary heroism on February 25, 1945, when the 
     situation became untenable during his battalion's attack 
     upon Brake, Germany. Small arms, artillery and direct fire 
     came from all directions. Colonel Cohen took a position of 
     high ground in plain view of the enemy. Oblivious to all 
     danger and constant fire that fell all about him, directed 
     tank fire and lifted friendly artillery fire that was 
     falling too close. His personal bravery, inspiring 
     leadership and tactical skill retained the initiative and 
     gained the important objective. Lieutenant Colonel Harold 
     Cohen's quick heroic actions and personal courage reflect 
     great credit on him and the United States Army.

  Harold Cohen heads up my military academy appointment committee. I am 
very proud that Harold Cohen and his wife Bettye are my good friends.
  There are two people who tonight are not with us, Gen. George Patton 
and Gen. Abe Abrams, who are very proud of Harold Cohen. They rolled 
over tonight and smiled as Harold Cohen received the Distinguished 
Service Cross from General Reimer. They are proud of you, Harold, as am 
I.

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