[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO PVT. WALTER C. WETZEL

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to join the Radio 
Control Club of Detroit in paying tribute to Pvt. Walter C. Wetzel of 
the U.S. Army 13th Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division. On April 3, 
1945, Private Wetzel, a young squad leader with the antitank company of 
the 13th Infantry, was keeping watch at his platoon's command post in 
Birken, Germany. Early in the morning, Private Wetzel detected enemy 
forces moving in to attack the post. Immediately, he alerted the 
command post occupants and began fighting against heavy automatic 
weapons fire. Under cover of darkness, Germans forces moved close to 
the building and began throwing grenades. During the fighting, two 
grenades landed in the room from which Private Wetzel and the others 
were defending the post. With a warning to his fellow soldiers, Private 
Wetzel threw himself on the grenades just before they exploded.
  Sadly, the heroic deed of Private Wetzel cost him his life, but in so 
doing he saved the lives of others in his division. His comrades were 
able to continue the defense of the command post while breaking the 
power of a dangerous German war front. Certainly, his sacrifice was in 
keeping with the U.S. Army's highest traditions of bravery and heroism. 
Private Wetzel was laid to rest at the American Battlefield Monuments 
Commission cemetery in the Netherlands. Shortly after his death, 
Private Wetzel was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  In further recognition, the Radio Control Club of Detroit has 
constructed a monument to Private Wetzel on the grounds of Wetzel State 
Park in Lenox Township of Northern Macomb County. The monument consists 
of a concrete monolith flagpole base with a bronze plaque inlaid and 
inscripted. Upon dedication, the field at which the monument will be 
placed will be named ``Wetzel Memorial Flying Field.'' I ask the Senate 
to join this organization in remembering one of the many true American 
patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our 
freedom.

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