[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 172 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1108-E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING DANIEL FRANKLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2022

  Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman 
Mark DeSaulnier, to recognize Daniel ``Dan'' Franklin--a distinguished 
World War II veteran, and a loving father, grandfather, and great 
grandfather--who has just celebrated his 95th birthday.
  Dan was 16 when he joined the Navy in 1942 and was only 17 on D-Day, 
where his landing craft was charged with delivering soldiers and 
ammunition to Omaha Beach. The

[[Page E1109]]

ship was shot out from under Dan, and although he lost many of his 
crewmates, Dan survived by creating an artificial breakwater.
  In 2013, he received the French Legion of Honor medal, created in 
1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and considered France's highest honor, one 
that has been awarded to surviving American veterans for their heroism 
on D-Day. Recipients of the Legion of Honor are known as ``Chevalier 
(Knight) of the Legion d'Honneur.''
  Dan was discharged from the Navy in February 1946, at the age of 19. 
Initially resuming work at a florist shop in Kansas City, Dan decided 
to look for a different occupation. Through help of friends, family and 
the local Jewish Federation, Dan embarked on what was to be a 43-year 
career in the paper distribution business.
  Even though he did not complete high school, Dan advanced his career, 
moving to Dallas, Chicago and finally Moraga, California, as a vice-
president of a seven-billion-dollar corporation.
  He has survived his wife Marilyn, but is still the center of a family 
of four children, eleven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and 
many nieces and nephews.

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