[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF BRINTON W. OVERHOLT, SR. IN THE UNITED 
                              STATES ARMY

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                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor an 
outstanding Hoosier for his patriotism and service during World War II. 
Brinton W. Overholt, Sr., 90-years young this year, served with honor 
in the United States Army from 1944-1946. Trained stateside at Camp 
Blanding, Fort Meade, and finally Camp Shanks; Brinton was eventually 
shipped overseas to support the Allied march liberation of France. 
Landing in Le Havre, France, Brinton was assigned as a casualty 
replacement for the 106th Division, 423rd Battalion, Squad 4 of the 3rd 
Platoon. The 106th Division served with distinction in France; helping 
to trap some 20,000 German soldiers around St. Lazare; a vital 
submarine base near Paris. Of the Division's original compliment of 
1500 soldiers; only 88 would survive the war.
  Shooting the 81 mm mortar, Mr. Overholt served in the Heavy Weapons 
Unit. Later, he would become the squad leader, directing the shots of 
the mortar men. While Overholt was still in France, Nazi Germany 
surrendered; and the 106th Division became part of the United States 
Army of Occupation in Germany.
  The American soldiers moved into German houses and Brinton Overholt 
was assigned the of taking inventory of the household so that if the 
U.S. soldiers broke anything or if something went missing, our 
government would replace it. Brinton was in the midst of an inventory 
when an officer informed him that he was going to be shipped out to the 
Pacific for the invasion of Japan. Fortunately, for Brinton and the 
Japanese, Brinton was granted a 30- day furlough in the U.S., before 
his rotation to Japan and the war would be over before his furlough 
ended.
  Brinton spent the rest of his military career at Camp Campbell in 
Kentucky. (now called Fort Campbell) where he served as a medic's and 
Chaplain's Assistant to special troops. Brinton would in fact serve 
under three different Chaplains over the time he was there--including 
Chaplain John Brown.
  If you ask him about his service during the war, Brinton will tell 
you quite honestly and matter-of-factly, that he doesn't consider 
himself a hero, just a kid who served his country because it was the 
right thing to do. I ask my colleagues to join with me today to honor 
and thank Brinton W. Overholt Sr.; because it is the right thing to do.

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