[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 7 (Thursday, January 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E39-E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE MEMORY OF DWAIN LUCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 17, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire 
nation recently lost a true American hero, and I rise today to honor 
Mr. Dwain Luce of Mobile, Alabama, and pay tribute to his memory.
  Many Americans came to know Mr. Luce last year as his courageous 
story, along with those of other Mobilians, was told in the Ken Burns' 
documentary series ``The War.''
  Born in Mobile in 1916, Mr. Luce was educated at University Military 
School. Upon graduation from high school, he continued his studies and 
earned a degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University.
  Shortly following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dwain volunteered for 
military service and entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 
January 1942. As a lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division's 320th 
Glider Field Artillery Battalion, he participated in the invasions of 
Sicily and later Italy. Just prior to the U.S. invasion of Normandy, he 
was promoted to captain. He landed his glider at Normandy on D-Day and 
survived 33 days of fighting there.
  Several months later, his unit saw action again when they were 
dropped behind enemy lines into Holland as part of Operation Market 
Garden. They remained in Holland for six weeks battling both the 
Germans and the cold weather. He and his unit also participated in the 
Battle of the Bulge where they anchored the northern flank of the 
American lines. On May 1, 1945, the 82nd Airborne took 144,000 German 
prisoners as they surrendered to Americans.
  Following the war, Mr. Luce left the service as a major in 1945, and 
began a career in banking. He joined American National Bank, in Mobile, 
Alabama, and rose to senior vice president and director. He remained 
with American National Bank for 16 years before joining First National 
Bank of Mobile, where he served as executive vice president. Mr. Luce 
retired as president of First Bancgroup-Alabama and as vice-chairman of 
the board of directors of the First National Bank of Mobile.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader, a true American and friend to many 
throughout Alabama, as well as a wonderful husband and devoted father. 
Mr. Luce will be missed by his family--his wife of 65 years, Margaret 
Wilson Luce; their children, Margaret Luce Brown and Dwain Gregory Luce 
Jr.; his brother, Jex Ransom Luce; his five grandchildren; and three 
great-grandchildren--as well as the many countless friends he leaves

[[Page E40]]

behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this 
difficult time.

                          ____________________