[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE SERVICE OF TRAVIS ADAM STARK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2022

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
birthday of World War II veteran Travis Adam Stark.
  Travis Stark was born on January 31, 1922, in Blox, Texas, to parents 
George and Georgia Stark. The eldest of nine children, Travis spent his 
youth working on the family farm in Bon Wier, Texas. At 19, he joined 
the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was sent to work in Zavalla, 
Texas. While employed with the CCC, he was chosen to assist a local 
college with trapping foxes for research purposes. Due to the economic 
instability brought on by the Great Depression, he sent most of his 
wages back home to support his family. After 11 months with the CCC, 
Travis accepted a job at the local shipyard and was there only a few 
weeks before being drafted by the United States Army.
  On November 4, 1942, Travis was assigned to Company C of the 844th 
Engineer Aviation Battalion. His job within the battalion was to build 
airstrips and operate and maintain heavy equipment. His company was 
sent to England just before D-Day. After our forces invaded Normandy, 
Travis' company was sent to France. He was later stationed in Germany 
and then in Austria. While in Austria, he and 11 other ``good old 
boys'' from Texas and Louisiana were asked to hunt game to supplement 
the Army's rations with fresh meat. After doing his part to fill the 
stomachs of his fellow warfighters, Travis's company was sent back to 
France, where they boarded a ship and returned to America. For his 
military service, Travis received an honorable discharge on January 1, 
1946, along with a European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign 
Medal, a Victory Ribbon, one Service Stripe, five Overseas Service 
Bars, and an Expert Rifle Badge.
  After his time in the Army ended, Travis returned to Southeast Texas. 
He began working for Texaco, Inc., where he would remain for the next 
39 years. Later, Travis married Bernis Kraus, and they had one 
daughter. He later became the proud grandfather of two granddaughters 
and the great-grandfather of five great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Travis spent his life loving God, his family, and his 
country. It is my honor to recognize him as an American patriot who 
valiantly answered the call to protect and defend this great nation 
during the Second World War. I thank him for his inspiring service and 
dedication to our country.

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