[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO IRVING FEINARMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to honor my valiant 
constituent, Tec. Sgt. Irving Feinarman, as he receives the Jubilee of 
Liberty Medal for his courageous acts during the Normandy Invasion, and 
his illustrious legacy of courage throughout World War II.
  Mr. Feinarman was drafted at the age of 22 into the army. He trained 
at Fort Meade, Camp Picket, and Fort Dix before he was sent into combat 
in North Africa and Sicily. After operations ended in Sicily, he was 
sent to train in England for the 8 months leading to a great invasion 
and then, as he put it, ``Before I knew it, I was on Omaha Beach on D 
Day!''
  Tec. Sgt. Feinarman was supposed to be part of the second wave on the 
beach, landing at 6 a.m., but the beach was so overrun, it was 
difficult to tell the first from the second wave of soldiers. He and 
his fellow soldiers just kept fighting, cut off from their leadership, 
and pushing onward until they found themselves fighting in the 
hedgerows of Normandy.
  As the Battle of the Bulge began, Feinarman had been given leave in 
Paris for a few days. Suddenly, however, all American soldiers were 
rounded up. He and his compatriots did not know that they were being 
put back into combat as the Germans were about to start ``their big 
push, trying to get us all out of Europe, period. Giving us everything 
they had.''
  Mr. Feinarman was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor in Aachen, 
Germany. Surrounded by enemy tanks and cut off from the commander of 
his unit, he volunteered to cross the field and get help. He was shot 
at, but got through unharmed, and returned with the assistance his 
company needed.
  At the end of the war, Irving Feinarman was the only man from his 
entire original company--over 200 soldiers--who survived and remained 
unwounded, an amazing victory itself.
  To his family and his lifelong friend Bill Etros, Mr. Feinarman's 
warmth and laughter are part of every fond memory. With great humility 
and humor, he insists that he is no hero for his brave actions, that he 
was only doing his duty. Would that there were some recognition beyond 
a medal that this country could award Mr. Feinarman who came through 
the hell of war with a laugh in his heart and a smile on his lips.
  I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me 
today in expressing the Nation's gratitude to a brave soldier, Irving 
Feinarman.

                          ____________________