[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2556-E2557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING WWII VETERAN HARRY THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to recognize Harry A. 
Thompson , a veteran of World War II and a WWII Prisoner of War. Harry 
is a longtime resident Wolfe City, Texas, and for the past fifty years 
has been working on his memoirs of his experience as a POW in Germany. 
His book, entitled Patton's Ill-Fated Raid, relates how he fell into 
enemy hands on the second day of the Battle of the Bulge and the events 
that transpired thereafter.
  Chief Warrant Officer Harry Thompson was a Battalion Personnel 
Officer assigned to the 924th Field Artillery Battalion of the 99th 
Infantry Division in Bullingen, Belgium, when the German Army broke 
through the American lines during the Battle of the Bulge, and he was 
captured. He was taken to Hammelburg,

[[Page E2557]]

the German POW camp for American officers where General Patton's son-
in-law also was being held. As a result of the ill-fated raid to 
liberate the POWs in Hammelburg, all POWs were evacuated from camp and 
were forced to walk a treacherous journey of 241 miles in subzero 
weather across Germany before their liberation on May 2, 1945.
  Mr. Thompson's account of his harrowing experiences at Hammelburg and 
during this long march is a sobering reminder to readers of the 
sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. In his introduction he 
wrote, ``The fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge has 
passed. World War II seems ancient history to my grandchildren as much 
as the Civil War seemed to me when I was growing up. This narrative is 
for my family as much as for the public, a memoir of a horrible time, 
the likes of which I hope they will never have to live.''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to commend Harry 
Thompson for publishing his memoirs. He says that he hopes that other 
Veterans and POWs will share their stories and ``that together we can 
record what it is for America to be at war, what it is to serve in the 
armed Forces of the United States of America and, after service during 
wartime, what it means to salute the flag as well as why we, as 
Veterans, sometimes have a tear or two when we see a patriotic ceremony 
or parade.''
  Harry Thompson has served our Nation in two important ways--by his 
service and sacrifice during World War II, and by the publication of 
his book that will be part of the history of America for all to read. I 
am honored to pay tribute today in the House of Representatives to this 
great American and Veteran of World War II and to thank him for his 
service to our Nation.

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