[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E110-E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING PFC JUAN MEZA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the commitment and 
sacrifice of PFC Juan Meza. Mr. Meza served in Company B 399th Infantry 
Unit during World War II from October 1944 until March 1946 and 
demonstrated great bravery and dedication as a soldier for the United 
States Army.
  Mr. Meza was born December 15, 1925 in Laredo, Texas. Upon graduating 
from high school, he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Europe. 
During his service, he was wounded twice in combat and remained in-
country until 1946 after a cease fire was declared. By March 1946, Mr. 
Meza was honorably discharged. When Mr. Meza returned to Laredo, Texas, 
he married Antonia Galvan and together they raised six children. After 
serving in the Army, he dedicated more than 35 years of service to U.S 
Customs and Border Protection and retired happily in Laredo.
  Mr. Meza is very proud of his time and experiences while serving in 
the military. Experiences that are only unique to an American hero and 
veteran are those that he can recall as if it were yesterday. One 
specific memory beckons Mr. Meza to a cold New Year's Eve day in 1944, 
when he outwitted a band of German soldiers at a listening post in 
France and his actions led to saving the lives of several Americans and 
Allied troops. Every scent he smelled, every sound he heard and every 
color he saw that day is imprinted in his memory. At 86 years of age, 
he tells the story with passion and no details are left out when he was 
triumphant against the enemy for the lives of his brothers and freedom 
of the nation.
  During Mr. Meza's time in the Army he showed great courage and by 
using his intelligence, knowledge and common sense he not only survived 
a tremendous war, he also helped young soldiers like himself return 
home

[[Page E111]]

to their families and loved ones. He is a highly decorated veteran. His 
awards include the World War II Victory Ribbon, Army Good Conduct 
Medal, EAME Theater Ribbon and Two Bronze Service Stars, Purple Heart, 
One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and a Distinguished Unit Badge. He was 
also nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest 
military honor that can be awarded to a member of the United States 
Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an 
armed enemy force.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had the opportunity to recognize 
Mr. Meza's accomplishments and faithful service to our country. His 
hard work and valor have truly impacted many lives and our community. 
Thank you.

                          ____________________