[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H7790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDALS FOR WORLD WAR II VETERAN BERNARD E. STRICKLAND, M.D.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Barragan) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Bernard E. 
Strickland, a constituent, a veteran, and a doctor. This is a long 
overdue recognition that he deserves for his contributions to our 
country and to our community.
  Born on January 21, 1922, Dr. Strickland served courageously in the 
U.S. military during World War II from 1943 to 1946. During his 
service, he led a squadron of soldiers as a sergeant in the historic 
761st Tank Battalion. Known as Patton's Panthers, they were the first 
African-American tank squad to see combat in Europe. They were not 
permitted to serve alongside White troops, and they were the ones who 
went in to liberate concentration camps.
  Dr. Strickland and the rest of the battalion were crucial to 
advancing freedom internationally and racial equality domestically. The 
761st Tank Battalion also assisted in making sure that those that were 
trapped--Jews that were liberated in these concentration camps--were 
able to get out. The things that he saw were horrific.
  His son, Henry, had reached out to my office to let us know about his 
service and about the fact that he had not been recognized.
  Today, I am proud to announce that Dr. Strickland will receive eight 
medals--eight awards--for his exemplary conduct, including the Good 
Conduct Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle 
Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of 
Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; the Honorable Service Lapel Button 
World War II; the Expert Badge with machine gun bar; and the 
Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.
  Following his honorable discharge, he continued to devote his life to 
helping others as a medical doctor practicing medicine for more than 25 
years in California.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Strickland for his tireless dedication to 
his country and to our community.

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