[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E894-E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF DR. BYRON J. GROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Byron J. Gross 
for his exceptional military service to the United States during World 
War II. On May 25th, 2011, the Honor Flight program will recognize Dr. 
Gross along with other World War II veterans at the World War II 
Memorial in Washington, DC for answering the call of service to our 
country in a time of dire peril.
  In 1942, when his country needed him, Dr. Gross did not hesitate--he 
left his private dental practice and immediately joined the Army 
medical corps. In the service, he went above and beyond his assigned 
duties, demonstrating extraordinary patriotism and a tireless 
commitment to service. He was recognized for his outstanding 
achievements and promoted to Captain before his honorable discharge in 
1946.
  Dr. Gross was initially stationed stateside in Wyoming at Ft. Francis 
E. Warren. He then transferred to Camp Phillips in Salina, Kansas 
where, in addition to his regular duties in the dental clinic, he was a 
bivouac officer. In 1943, Dr. Gross was sent overseas to treat enlisted 
personnel and officers, as well as supervise the set-up, personnel, and 
day-to-day operations of dental laboratories based in England, France, 
and Germany.
  Once stationed in England, Dr. Gross witnessed the devastating 
blitzkrieg of London which literally shook the Cumberland hotel where 
he was billeted with other military personnel. He vividly recalls 
witnessing, on D-Day, the swarms of American planes flying over Grimm's 
Ditch near Stonehenge in route to Germany. He remembers the sky 
appearing black as a seemingly never-ending wave of warplanes and 
airplanes towing gliders headed toward their appointed bombing mission.
  The momentousness of the events in which Dr. Gross and the other 
servicemen and women took place cannot be overstated. Quite simply, 
they saved the world. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.
  Dr. Gross completed his tour of duty in 1946 and returned to the 
United States, where he resumed his private practice until he retired 
in 1990 at age 75. He is currently living in St. Louis and will turn 97 
on this July 4th--a date which uniquely symbolizes his enduring love 
for his country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Dr. Gross for his tremendous 
patriotism and courage during such an important moment in history. I 
ask my colleagues to join me now in thanking him for his service to his 
country.

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