[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E583-E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN WILLIAM J. KULL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HARLEY ROUDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2020

  Mr. ROUDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
birthday of U.S. Army and World War II Veteran, William J. Kull of 
Huntington Beach, CA. Mr. Kull's patriotism and commitment to serve his 
community and the United States as a member of America's greatest 
generation should serve as an example for all especially as we continue 
to confront the challenges our nation faces today.
  A young husband and father, Mr. Kull was a member of the New York 
Fire Department when he was drafted into the service in 1944. He 
completed Basic Training in South Carolina, then sailed to Glasgow on 
the HMS Queen Elizabeth, then took a Belgian ship to France. On June 
6th, 1944, approximately 156,000 American, Canadian, and British forces 
landed on five beaches in the Normandy region of France. The operation 
took months of planning by General Dwight Eisenhower, who coordinated 
and led the attack of troops from three different nations. Mr. Kull was 
assigned to Rifle Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Regiment in the 4th 
Division, U.S. Army when he arrived the next day to replace the massive 
casualties sustained in battle.
  Landing on Utah Beach, he saw six months of fighting on the 
frontlines, during which time he was promoted quickly through the ranks 
from Private to Staff Sergeant. His unit fought their way through 
Belgium and arrived in Germany before realizing confrontation at the 
Battle of Hurtgen Forest. Mr. Kull recalled it as ``a terrible place . 
. . when we left, it wasn't a forest anymore.''
  Mr. Kull continued through the perilous challenges of war, including 
fighting at the Battle of the Bulge. Not knowing his sergeant had 
surrendered, Mr. Kull was fiercely engaged with the enemy when a German 
rifle held him at gunpoint. Now a Prisoner of War, in a miraculous 
display of loyalty to duty and country, it took only a few hours for 
him to escape, along with other members of his unit, and catch up with 
his remaining company.

[[Page E584]]

  Against overwhelming odds, Mr. Kull and a couple of other squads 
continued to fight. Members of the 5th Division arrived to relieve them 
on Christmas Eve. Travelling by truck back into France, he was sent to 
hold the Remagen Bridge, only just captured by American Forces. He 
recalled that once they crossed the Rhine River and then went along the 
Danube, they were met with sporadic resistance.
  With the war in the European Theatre essentially over, his unit 
remained as part of the occupying forces and shipped back to France. He 
received many medals, badges and citations for his exemplary service 
including the Order of Leopold II with Palm Degree of Chevalier and the 
Croix d'Guerre with Palm Leaf cluster. He was awarded the Bronze Star 
with Oakleaf Cluster ``for exemplary conduct in ground combat against 
the armed enemy on or about 12 November 1944 in the European Theater of 
Operations.''
  Mr. Kull left military service in 1945 and returned to the New York 
Fire Department where he retired after twenty-three years of service. 
He has three sons Richard, David and Chuck who reside in Colorado and 
Texas. Mr. Kull exemplifies incredible intelligence, courage, and 
perseverance, and we must show our due appreciation and honor to all 
the men and women who lost their lives to help end the war. I truly 
admire Mr. Kull for answering the call of duty during one of the most 
historic moments in our nation's history. On this day we pay tribute to 
his service to our country and wish him a very happy 100th birthday.
  I ask that all Members join me in honoring the birthday of William J. 
Kull on June 29th.

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