[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING SERGEANT ALTON RUSSEL HEIMBACH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Mr. Alton Russel 
Heimbach on the auspicious occasion of his 100th Birthday on August 7, 
2023.
  Mr. Heimbach enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19 years old. Earning the 
rank of Sergeant (SGT), he served in Company C, 157th Combat Engineers 
and fought with ``The Greatest Generation'' on the Atlantic front, He 
served in General George Patton's 3rd U.S. Army, which marched across 
Northern France.
  SGT Heimbach's platoon landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on June 25, 
1944. He was instrumental in keeping the 3rd Army moving by building 
bridges and repairing roads that were destroyed by the Germans. Most 
significantly, he helped to build the first Bailey Bridge, implemented 
primarily to help our Troops cross the Seine River, but served many 
thereafter, these bridges were critical to our mission of pursuing the 
retreating Axis forces. When Patton's 3rd Army moved into Paris, the 
157th Engineers were among the first Soldiers to enter the city. SGT 
Heimbach went on to serve in Rhineland, Germany, Austria, and other 
areas in Central Europe, until his return to the United States upon the 
end of World War II in December 1945.
  After military service, Mr Heimbach had a successful and varied 
career ranging from heavy machine equipment operator to superintendent. 
He remains dedicated to the Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren, and 
his wife, Maria and their 3 children, Alton, Mary, and Brian.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to commemorate Alton Russel Heimbach on 
his 100th Birthday, but also for his distinguished, tireless, and 
selfless service to our Nation. He sets the standard by which we all 
should be judged. I wish him Godspeed, and many more years of great 
health, prosperity, and happiness.

                          ____________________