[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1992-S1993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HERBERT S. VERRILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
who has made a great sacrifice to protect and defend the liberties of 
his beloved United States, and the Republic of France as well: 2LT 
Herbert S. Verrill of Laurel County, KY. Mr. Verrill is a veteran of 
World War II and served a tour of duty in Europe in 1945. Today he is 
92 years old and resides on Old Whitley Road in Laurel County.
  Mr. Verrill, or ``Herb'' as many call him, served in the U.S. Army, 
Company E, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th infantry division. Near 
Reyersviller, France, on March 15, 1945, he commanded a small troop. He 
was just a lieutenant, and at the time he and his men ventured into the 
midst of an attack that day. To Herb's horror, his unit found 
themselves trapped in a maze of barbed wire and landmines while bullets 
whizzed around them. Herb accidentally set off one of the buried mines, 
and the explosion took off his foot in a nearly fatal wound. In a 
superhuman act of courage, Herb ignored the pain and forgot the wound 
he had just received. All the 24-year-old lieutenant would think about 
was the safety of his troop. Using the one foot he had left, Herb 
directed his men safely out of the middle of the heated skirmish.
  After the war, Herb returned home to Kentucky and settled down. He 
married, fathered three successful children, and found his way back to 
civilian life. For the next many years Herb, like many other World War 
II veterans, kept the courage and selflessness he had shown on the 
battlefield to himself. He sat by quietly and humbly, watching those 
around him enjoy the freedoms and liberties he and many others had made 
such a great sacrifice to preserve. Although Herb had done his best to 
move on, the world would not forget the great heroism that he had 
shown.
  Herb received a letter from the Consul General of France, based in 
Chicago, IL, in July of 2011. He had been named a Knight of the Legion 
of Honor by the President of the French Republic, one of the highest 
awards one can receive in the country of France. The letter read:

       My fellow countrymen will never forget your sacrifice. 
     Their children and grandchildren are as proud of your 
     courageous actions as can be your own children and 
     grandchildren. This outstanding distinction is the highest 
     honor that France can bestow upon those who have achieved 
     remarkable deeds for France. It is also a sign of gratitude 
     for your invaluable contribution to the liberation of France 
     during these difficult times in the history of our nation.

  The award was authorized on July 4, 2011.
  Herb was also recognized by the country whose flag he had worn on his 
uniform in Europe--the United States of America. He received the 
Distinguished Service Cross. The letter he received from GEN Donald 
Storm recalled the ``indomitable courage and resolution'' displayed by 
Herb during the battle in Reyersviller that ``prevented confusion and 
consequent casualties among the men, which made possible the capture of 
the objective.''
  Herb's nephew, Randy Stanifer, is in awe of the great sacrifice that 
was made by the service men and women during the Second World War. 
``The men from those wars were pre-cell phones and pre-Internet,'' he 
says. ``They were out in the field and would go months without hearing 
from their families. They went through many things and when most of 
them came home, they didn't talk about it.''
  Randy went on to declare, ``I think we should all pause for a few 
minutes and recognize the things they had to go through and appreciate 
their sacrifices.''
  Herb was extremely pleased to receive both awards. He is one of the 
few remaining veterans of World War II; sadly, our country loses more 
every day. He answered his country's call to serve, and he did so 
valiantly. Herbert Verrill undoubtedly deserves every recognition.
  Mr. President, at this time I would like to ask my Senate colleagues 
to join me in commemorating the service and sacrifice made by 2LT 
Herbert S. Verrill in World War II on behalf of the United States of 
America and the French Republic.
  Recently an article appeared in the Laurel County-area publication 
the Sentinel Echo. The article highlighted the courageous life of Mr. 
Verrill and reported on the awards bestowed upon him by the French 
Republic and the United States in July, 2011. Mr. President, I ask 
unanimous consent that said article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the Sentinel Echo, Aug. 26, 2011]

               Laurel Man Receives French Military Honor

                           (By Nita Johnson)

       A local veteran of World War II recently received two 
     honors for his military service, one of which is the highest 
     honor bestowed by the French government.
       Herbert Verrill of Old Whitley Road was presented with the 
     Knight of the Legion of Honor on behalf of the President of 
     the French Republic through the Consul General of France, 
     based in Chicago. He also received the Distinguished Service 
     Cross for his valor in leading his men away from harm during 
     a battle in France and for directing his company to continue 
     an attack, despite being injured himself.
       Verrill served with the United States Army Company E, 399th 
     Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division near Reyersviller, 
     France, on March 15, 1945. Verrill, a lieutenant at the time, 
     was leading his troops through an attack by enemy forces--
     through mines and barbed wire--when he accidentally set off 
     one of the mines. The explosion blew Verrill's foot off. In 
     spite of the pain and trauma, Verrill kept his fellow 
     comrades and their safety foremost, and ordered them away 
     from the minefield. He continued to ensure their safety and 
     defense by continuing to direct the men by hand and arm 
     signals.
       Verrill received the letter from Graham Paul, Consul 
     General of France in Chicago, Ill., last month.
       ``It is my pleasure . . . to inform you, on behalf of the 
     people of France, the President of the French Republic has 
     named you Knight of the Legion of Honor for your valorous 
     action during World War II,'' the citation reads. ``My fellow 
     countrymen will never forget your sacrifice. Their children 
     and grandchildren are as proud of your courageous actions as 
     can be your own children and grandchildren. This outstanding 
     distinction is the highest honor that France can bestow upon 
     those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France. It is 
     also a sign of gratitude for your invaluable contribution to 
     the liberation of France during these difficult times in the 
     history of our nation.''
       The award was authorized through a decree from the 
     President of the French Republic on July 4, 2011.
       Verrill was also presented with the Distinguished Service 
     Cross by the American government for his courageous acts. The 
     citation outlining Verrill's heroic act reads: ``The 
     President of the United States of America, authorized by Act 
     of Congress,

[[Page S1993]]

     July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished 
     Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Herbert S. 
     Verrill, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in 
     connection with military operations against an army enemy.
       ``The indomitable courage and resolution which he displayed 
     prevented confusion and consequent casualties among the men, 
     which made possible the capture of the objective. Second 
     Lieutenant Verrill's intrepid actions, personal bravery and 
     zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of 
     the military forces of the United States and reflect great 
     credit upon himself, the 100th Infantry Division, and the 
     United States Army,'' reads the citation.
       The award was recently presented by Adjunct General Donald 
     Storm, who said, ``It is an honor and privilege to give him 
     the award. Those soldiers in Afghanistan now will be the next 
     generation of heroes.''
       Verrill is one of the few remaining veterans from World War 
     II, and although nearly bedfast now at age 92, he was pleased 
     to receive the honor. His nephew, Randy Stanifer, praised his 
     uncle for his valiant contributions to his country, not only 
     during wartime but also after returning home from the war.
       Verrill, a mere 24 years old while doing his military 
     service in France, watched the war rage throughout Europe and 
     made his sacrifices like thousands of other servicemen and 
     women. ``Herbert came back home, married and raised three 
     children, all of whom are successful. Herbert and the men 
     from those wars were pre-cell phones and pre-Internet. They 
     were out in the field and would go months without hearing 
     from their families. They went through many things and when 
     most of them came home, they didn't talk about it,'' he said.
       Stanifer mentioned two other local World War II veterans, 
     of whom he learned information about their wartime 
     activities.
       ``Vernon Hedrick, who died a few years ago, escaped from a 
     German POW camp and walked over 100 miles to get away from 
     enemy lines,'' he said. ``I didn't know that until recently. 
     Bill Moore (owner of London Tire until his death) was given 
     his last rites on the battlefield. They both survived and 
     came back home, but they didn't talk about these things.''
       ``Herb (Verrill) never talked about any of (his 
     experience),'' he continued. ``That generation has sat back 
     and watched the country do what it's doing now. I think we 
     should all pause for a few minutes and recognize the things 
     they had to go through and appreciate their sacrifices.''

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