[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 106 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MR. ARMIN BARTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2023

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and 
service of a truly remarkable man, Mr. Armin Barth. A proud 
Wisconsinite, husband, father, grandfather, and veteran who has 
dedicated his life to service.
  In the spring of 1944, World War II was raging in both the European 
and Pacific theaters, as the United States military and allied forces 
beat back the advance of the Axis powers. Against the backdrop of 
global conflict, a young man by the name of Armin Barth, from Appleton, 
Wisconsin, raised his right hand to serve his country. On June 24, 
1944, at just 16 years of age, Armin chose to postpone his high school 
education and serve as a Merchant Mariner.
  This was not a decision that young Armin would have made lightly--the 
United States Merchant Marine suffered a higher proportion of 
casualties during the war than any other branch of the United States 
military. German and Japanese naval forces understood that the maritime 
logistics enterprise was the lifeblood of the allied war effort; 
therefore, the U.S. merchant fleet became a favorite target of Nazi 
submarines in the Atlantic and Japanese kamikaze planes in the Pacific.
  Putting the potential dangers out of his mind, young Armin knew that 
he had a vital job to do. Merchant ships sailing under U.S. and allied 
flags transported military personnel, hardware, ammunition, food, 
petroleum, and medical supplies in support of troops in contact all 
over the globe, providing a critical link between the American wartime 
industrial base and the front lines. From June 24 to August 15, 1944, 
Armin Barth served as a messman aboard the SS Canada Victory, a supply 
vessel which had been constructed as part of the World War II Emergency 
Shipbuilding Program. Following this assignment, he once again took to 
sea as a utilityman aboard the troopship Alcoa Patriot from September 9 
to December 14, 1944.
  Young Americans who answer the call to serve in the Armed Forces, 
especially during wartime, are deserving of the praise and admiration 
of a grateful nation. As a testament to his character and courage, 
Armin Barth answered this call not once, but twice, before his 18th 
birthday. On June 9, 1945, Barth enlisted in the United States Marine 
Corps. He achieved the rank of Private First Class and served honorably 
as a Motor Transport Operator and Dispatcher until his discharge from 
the United States Marine Corps Reserve on April 14, 1950.
  Upon his discharge from the United States Marine Corps, Armin and the 
love of his life, Lois, built their home in Appleton and proudly raised 
five children: Jean, Joan, Gary, Keith, and Kevin. Following Armin's 
service in the military, he applied the leadership skills he gained to 
his civilian career as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways 
operating out of Menasha, WI, which he did for 55 years. Furthermore, 
Armin has continued to support and serve his local community by 
transporting fellow veterans from the Appleton VA Clinic to the VA in 
Milwaukee for appointments.
  Armin has many accomplishments throughout his career to be proud of, 
but one of the most important has been his family. Armin shared many 
valuable life lessons with his children as they grew up and placed a 
special emphasis on education, as he was never able to graduate high 
school. The lessons Armin instilled in his children resulted in several 
college degrees or other advanced certifications. Today, I extend my 
sincere congratulations to Armin for receiving his high school diploma 
from Appleton West High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Armin Barth for his unwavering 
service and dedication to the United States. Our nation is safer, and 
Northeast Wisconsin is better, because of his service. I urge members 
of this body to join me in honoring Mr. Armin Barth for his selfless 
commitment and service. Mr. Armin Barth is deserving of the highest 
degree of recognition.

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