[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 203 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7046-S7047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BATTLE OF THE BULGE

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, today's 75th anniversary of the beginning 
of the Battle of the Bulge presents an opportunity to honor the heroism 
of the Allied forces who fought in this last major German offensive in 
Western Europe during World War II. More than 650,000 troops from the 
United States, Great Britain, Belgium, Canada, and other countries 
fought in this battle to defeat Nazi Germany. These soldiers bravely 
fought for 38 days from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, and 
their victory made possible the final defeat and surrender of Germany 
in May 1945.
  More than 40 Senate colleagues joined in cosponsoring S. Con Res. 23, 
which my West Virginia colleague, Mr. Manchin, and I introduced and the 
Senate passed last week to remember the significance of this historic 
battle.
  The Battle of the Bulge was an attempt by the Germans to split the 
Allied forces and pressure them to seek a negotiated peace. These 
troops, located in the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg, were 
greatly outnumbered by the German Army as they faced harsh weather 
conditions and treacherous and unknown terrain.
  It is difficult to comprehend the massive losses incurred from this 
one battle--including 89,000 American casualties. Nineteen thousand 
American soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, with another 47,500 
wounded and more than 23,000 captured or missing in action. Other 
nations suffered great losses as well. Belgium lost more than 74,000 
civilians, in addition to many more who suffered through other 
atrocities that come with war. They persevered through this dark time 
and rebuilt their lives the best way they could after the war ended.
  In the decades since, the citizens of Belgium and Luxembourg have 
generously hosted thousands of U.S. veterans as they have kept the 
memory of the Battle of the Bulge alive through numerous memorials and 
museums. Among them has been one of North Dakota's most distinguished 
World War II veterans, Lynn Aas of Minot.
  Mr. Aas enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1942 at the age of 21 and 
was called into service in March 1943. He was assigned to the 193rd 
Glider Regiment in the 17th Airborne Division. Arriving in England in 
August 1944, he

[[Page S7047]]

mastered glider-use techniques and was deployed in France on December 
24. He first went to Camp Mourmelon, followed by Charleville-Mezieres, 
where his division was attached to George Patton's U.S. Third Army. 
There, he was among those ordered to defend a 30-mile defensive 
position along the Meuse River whose mission was to prevent the German 
advance in the Belgian Ardennes area.
  On January 5, 1945, Private First Class Aas crossed the Belgian 
border and settled in a wooded area near Bastogne. Combat ensued 2 days 
later as the Battle of the Bulge was raging. The fighting was so 
intense the area became forever known as Dead Man's Ridge. As he and 
his unit continued to advance toward Luxembourg, they pushed enemy 
lines back towards the Siegfried Line.
  In February, after the battle had ended and after weeks of combat in 
exceptionally harsh conditions, he returned to France to Camp Chalons-
sur-Marne. He was reassigned to the 194th Glider Infantry after his 
regiment disbanded because of heavy casualties Private First Class Aas 
helped prepare for the airborne operation Varsity. On March 24, he left 
Coulommiers and landed in Germany near Wesel to help capture Rhine 
bridges and secure towns to protect Allied ground forces. The following 
day he was wounded by shrapnel and was hospitalized in Belgium and then 
Paris, where he spent several weeks recovering.
  Private First Class Aas returned to North Dakota following the war, 
earned his law degree from the University of North Dakota, and served 
in the State legislature for four sessions. To this day, he remains a 
community leader in Minot. He is one of the best examples of the 
thousands of World War II veterans we proudly call ``the greatest 
generation.''
  For his valorous conduct in action, Mr. Aas has received prestigious 
distinctions, including the Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal 
for heroic and meritorious service in Belgium, as well as the 
Luxembourg Medal of Honor and the honorific diploma of Citizen of Utah 
Beach--Sainte-Marie-du-Mont / Citoyen d'Utah Beach--Sainte-Marie-du-
Mont. It was my honor in October 2017 to join French Consul General 
Lacroix, who made a special trip to Minot to present France's highest 
military recognition, the Legion of Honor, to Mr. Aas, who was then 96 
years old.
  Mr. President, as we remember this 75th anniversary of the Battle of 
the Bulge, let us once again remember and honor the heroism and 
sacrifices of our American soldiers, who paved the way for victory in 
World War II and for our freedom today.

                          ____________________