[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING WWII VET NORVAN D. McCLURE

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                             HON. JIM BANKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Mr. BANKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Norvan D. McClure of Fort Wayne. Our Nation owes Norvan a tremendous 
debt of gratitude for his service to our country in the United States 
Army during World War II. Serving in an Engineer Combat Battalion in 
the Europe, his sacrifices were critical to the defense of our 
homeland, of Europe and to the security and prosperity of millions.
  Most notably, Norvan's service earned him the French Legion of Honour 
award, the highest distinction awarded by France. Established by 
Napoleon in 1804, the Legion of Honour known as Ordre national de la 
Legion d'honneur, is awarded only to the most exceptional of soldiers 
served in defense of the French Republic. As a combat engineer, Norvan 
was charged with most perilous tasks of any soldier during the war: 
removing mines and booby traps left behind by a retreating fanatical 
Wehrmacht. But for Norvan and his heroic actions, many more America 
have been killed and the Allied advance across Western Europe would 
been even more difficult and deadly than it was.
  Norvan's unit continued into Germany, and then Austria, where it 
remained involved in combat operations until the end of the war in 
Europe in May 1945. Norvan returned to Indiana. raised five children 
with his wife, Maryann, and became a Locomotive Engineer, a job he had 
for 44 years. I'm proud to honor him. On behalf of Congress, let me 
say: We hope Norvan's heart is filled with joy knowing he has 
experienced our country's blessings, including the affection of family, 
friends, and a grateful Nation, over a long and well-lived life.
  May God Bless Norvan, and may God Bless the United States.

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