[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1035-E1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JACK HAMLIN'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2021

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish Jack Hamlin, a lifetime 
resident of Springfield, MO, on his upcoming 100th Birthday.
  Born October 15, 1921, Jack has seen his fair share of excitement. He 
was recruited to play minor league baseball for the New York Yankees 
when WWII broke out in Europe. As many young American men did, Jack 
enlisted in the military. At first attempting to join the Naval Air 
Corps, Jack was disqualified for having an enlarged heart, so he joined 
the Coast Guard. His service brought him to Normandy, France on June 6, 
1944 as part of the D-Day invasion. Jack and his unit were tasked with 
rescuing survivors in the water during the invasion. Amid the German 
counter assault, Jack and his unit saved 70 men from the

[[Page E1036]]

water and brought them to a hospital ship. Jack also took part in the 
rescue of crewmembers from the SS Leopoldville on Christmas Eve 1944. 
On June 6, 1944 at Omaha Beach, Jack was the only one that shot down a 
German Focke-Wulf Fw 190. For his actions that day Jack was awarded the 
French Legion of Honor, their highest medal for Allied troops.
  After the war, Jack returned to Springfield and enrolled at the 
University of Missouri. He went on to run a successful insurance 
business in Springfield, and even served one term in the Missouri House 
of Representatives from 1951 to 1952. He continued to play baseball for 
the Springfield Generals, which led to him meeting his wife of nearly 
60 years. Throughout all of this, Jack has always supported and served 
his local community.
  Madam Speaker, Jack Hamlin has lived a life of service to his 
community and his country, I wish him a happy 100th Birthday, and many 
more to come.

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