[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF OLIN R. PICKENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 10, 2022

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life and service of Mr. Olin R. Pickens who will celebrate his 
100th birthday this month. I join his family, friends, and loved ones 
in celebrating his lifelong dedication to this country.
  Olin Pickens was an infantryman assigned to the Army 805th Tank 
Destroyer Unit during WWII before he was captured as a Prisoner of War. 
He was executing a mission to capture German field marshal Erwin Rommel 
in North Africa in 1943 when his unit was attacked by the Germans. His 
unit, along with three others, attempted to breech a German Blockade to 
reach Rommel. The soldiers understood this to be a suicide mission. On 
February 16, 1943, PFC Pickens was captured in Tunisia and spent 26 
months as a POW. He escaped once, but was recaptured. In April of 1945, 
Pickens was finally released.
  Pickens looks back on his time in the army with astounding bravery 
and resolve. I admire his tenacity and dedication to this country. It 
is because of men like Mr. Pickens that we celebrate the freedoms we 
enjoy every day, and for his service, I am grateful. It is a joy to 
wish him a happy 100th birthday.

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