[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND FORMER POW, SERGEANT GEORGE THURSBY

  (Mr. ROTHFUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sergeant George Thursby.
  Sergeant Thursby, who I met last week, is a resident of New Florence, 
Pennsylvania. He was a B-24 gunner in the Army Air Forces during World 
War II.
  Sergeant Thursby was forced to land and was taken prisoner of war 
after his aircraft was hit while bombing Munich. He attempted to escape 
but was arrested and returned to the POW camp. Conditions were abysmal, 
and Sergeant Thursby was skinny as a rail. He attempted to escape again 
and reached American lines in France.
  When Sergeant Thursby returned home, he had a long and productive 
career working at U.S. Steel's Homestead Works and retired in 1983.
  Last week, almost 70 years after his successful escape, Sergeant 
Thursby finally received his long overdue and well-deserved recognition 
in a ceremony at the Pentagon. He was awarded the Prisoner of War 
Medal.
  Sergeant Thursby's bravery, strength, and spirit serves as an 
inspiration to all Americans. It is fitting that we honor him on 
Victory in Europe Day. Let us all take time to thank World War II 
veterans like Sergeant Thursby today for their service and sacrifice.

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