[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 190 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING WWII VET NORVIN D. McCLURE

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                             HON. JIM BANKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 2021

  Mr. BANKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Norvin D. McClure of Fort Wayne.
  Our Nation owes Norvin 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 European Theatre, his sacrifices 
were critical to the defense of our homeland, of Europe and to the 
security and prosperity of millions.
  Most notably, Norvin's service earned him the French Legion of Honor 
award, the highest distinction awarded by France. Established by 
Napoleon in 1804, the Legion of Honor, known as Ordre national de la 
Legion d'honneur, is awarded only to the most exceptional of soldiers 
who served in defense of the French Republic. As a combat engineer, 
Norvin was charged with one of the most perilous tasks of any soldier 
during the war: removing mines and booby traps left behind by a 
retreating fanatical Wehrmacht. But for Norvin and his heroic actions, 
many more Americans would have been killed and the Allied advance 
across Western Europe would have been even more difficult and deadly 
than it was.
  Norvin'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. Norvin 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 extend my regards to him. On behalf of 
Congress, let me say: we hope Norvin's heart is filled with joy knowing 
he has experienced our country's greatest blessings, including the 
affection of family, friends, and a grateful Nation, over a long and 
well-lived life.
  May God Bless Norvin, and may God Bless the United States.

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