[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JERRY MANSBACH AS HE IS AWARDED L'ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LEGION 
                               D'HONNEUR

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Gerald 
(Jerry) Mansbach. On November 17, 2013, Jerry will be honored with 
l'Ordre national de la Legion d'honneur (the National Order of the 
Legion of Honor) by Honorary Consul Diane Thomas, representing the 
French Consulate in Chicago.
  Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion d'honneur is the 
highest and most prestigious distinction bestowed by the French 
Republic to celebrate extraordinary contributions to the country. Given 
solely based on merit, the Legion d'honneur expresses the gratitude of 
the French people for the bravery of the men and women of the United 
States Armed Forces who fought to secure France's freedom during the 
Second World War. It is an honor today to join the French people in 
expressing my gratitude for the sacrifices of America's troops during 
the struggle to liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany, and 
especially to recognize one of my constituents, Sergeant Jerry 
Mansbach.
  Jerry was born in New York City and moved to the Hoosier State at the 
age of ten, where he grew up and attended high school in Fort Wayne. 
While attending Indiana University, Jerry joined the U.S. Army in 
January of 1943. He defended France in the Battle of the Bulge and 
participated in the Normandy Invasion as a tank commander under General 
George Patton. Tragically, all of Jerry's fellow tank crew died in 
battle but he miraculously survived, though not without injury. For his 
courage, Jerry was awarded the Silver Star Medal for ``gallantry in 
action against an enemy of the United States.'' He was also presented 
with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
  Like many members of the Greatest Generation, Jerry came back home 
again to the Midwest to raise a family and begin a career. He worked 
for Merrill Lynch for forty years, retiring in 2000, and has four 
children, three stepchildren, and seven grandchildren. Jerry currently 
resides in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife Shirley. I am proud that such 
an exceptional Hoosier calls my District home.
  Jerry Mansbach is a patriot and a hero. Along with the Honorary 
Consul and the French people, I am honored to recognize his sacrifices 
and bravery during the Second World War today.

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