[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3015-H3016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING KENNETH C. THAYER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Tenney) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible 
life and military career of one of New York State's most decorated 
World War II veterans, U.S. Army National Guard veteran Private First 
Class Kenneth C. Thayer, the handsome man you see pictured behind me.
  Mr. Thayer is part of a distinguished National Guard unit that 
displayed heroic and patriotic service in defense of the United States. 
In recognition of his unwavering service to our Nation, I recently had 
the opportunity to present Mr. Thayer with the Presidential Unit 
Citation, one of the highest honors a military unit can receive. Here 
is the picture of me meeting Mr. Thayer this weekend.
  The Army has requested this Presidential Unit Citation for the 30th 
Infantry Division since 1946. It wasn't until last year, nearly 75 
years later, that President Trump recognized this unit and the well-
deserving group of men for their selfless acts of bravery and devotion 
to our country.
  Mr. Thayer was a soldier in the National Guard's 30th Infantry 
Division, a unit known for their exemplary conduct in both World War I 
and World War II. The 30th Division was formed in 1917, soon after the 
United States had entered World War I. They fought heroically in France 
against the German Army, and once the war ended, they returned to their 
prewar status in the National Guard.
  Then, on September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, initiating World 
War II. The 30th Division was quickly reinstated by 1940 and called 
upon to fight. They first saw combat on Omaha Beach on June 11, 1944.
  Mr. Thayer entered Active service on December 9, 1943, just 2 years 
after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A Utica native, Mr. Thayer 
was sent to the 30th after recovering from an injury he sustained in 
1944. His division was nicknamed ``Old Hickory'' because the majority 
of the men were from Southern States closely associated with President 
Andrew Jackson, and Mr. Thayer would grow very close with many of them.
  The 30th would go on to become one of the most important forces in 
the United States' European Theater Operations. The 30th Division was 
in active combat from June 1944 to April 1945, a total of 282 days.
  One of its most challenging battles was fought at Mortain, France. 
From August 6, 1944, to August 12, 1944, the 30th Infantry Division was 
faced with continuous attack from German forces, who were attempting to 
break through Allied lines.
  Over 2,000 men in this division alone died while fighting to drive 
Germans from France, but the courage of this division helped turn the 
tide of the war and will be remembered for generations to come.
  Mr. Thayer coauthored two volumes titled ``The Young Liberators: From 
Civilian to Soldier''--I have the book here, a wonderful account--with 
historian Allan Foote, whose father also served in the 30th Infantry 
Division during World War II, Master Sergeant Arthur A. Foote.
  Writing about one of the artillery barrages during that period, Mr. 
Thayer states in his book: ``I kept on scrambling around in a futile 
attempt to find someone, anyone I could help. . . . Out of 220 men, I 
was the only survivor. It was an absolute nightmare.''
  It is almost impossible to imagine the atrocities that these men 
witnessed. As Americans, we remember the bravery and sacrifice that Mr. 
Thayer and so many of the 30th endured.
  Between June 1944 and May 1945, the men of the United States 30th 
Infantry Division participated in every major Western European 
campaign, from Normandy to the Elbe River. Known as the ``Workhorse of 
the Western Front,'' the 30th was ranked as the top infantry division 
by a team of historians who worked under General Eisenhower. His chief 
historian, Colonel S.L.A. Marshall, declared the 30th ``the finest 
infantry division in the European Theater of Operations.''
  The reputation of Old Hickory is that of resolute dedication and 
valor. They are viewed as heroic not only to Americans but to those 
whom they saved overseas.
  For instance, in the Netherlands, where the 30th Division liberated 
the town of Maastricht, the townspeople created a cemetery for these 
lost souls. To this day, the community continues to place American 
flags at the gravesites every May in their memory. The town officials 
still keep in touch with Mr. Thayer even though he is living in 
assisted living.
  For this service, Mr. Thayer has been awarded the Distinguished 
Service Cross, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts.

[[Page H3016]]

  A man of incredible courage and personal fortitude, Mr. Thayer is a 
true hero. He served our Nation through tremendous strife, yet he 
remains humble, gracious, and incredibly sharp.
  It was an honor to meet Mr. Thayer, along with his coauthor, Allan 
Foote, this past weekend and present him with this well-deserved 
recognition. His life of courage and commitment to our Nation is 
unparalleled. It would have been easy for him to give up in the face of 
evil, but Mr. Thayer and the men of the 30th Infantry never gave up. 
They were fiercely dedicated to changing the course of the war, and 
they worked fearlessly to ensure that America and freedom would 
prevail.
  It is truly an honor to share Mr. Thayer's unique story in this 
historic Chamber today. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to spend 
time with Mr. Thayer and hear his firsthand account of his experiences 
as a critical player in this major event of human history.
  At age 95, nearly 96, he is the last survivor of this venerable group 
of heroes. We will remember him, and we thank him for his great 
service.
  I highly recommend this wonderful book by this great veteran of World 
War II.

                          ____________________