[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 127 (Friday, August 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E797-E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE OF JACK HAMLIN OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC BURLISON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2024

  Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and 
legacy of a great American patriot, World War II hero Jack Hamlin of 
Springfield, Missouri, who passed away on July 20, 2024. He was 102 
years old.
  Mr. Hamlin's resume reads like it should belong to several 
individuals college football player, minor league baseball player, 
Coast Guard veteran, law school graduate, member of the Missouri House 
of Representatives from Greene County, Deputy Collector of Revenue for 
the state of Missouri, owner of an insurance company, husband, and 
father of three.
  In 1941, Jack was pursuing his dream to become a professional 
baseball player, but when the Japanese Empire attacked the U.S. fleet 
at Pearl Harbor on December 7th that year, Jack knew he had to serve. 
On February 2, 1942, he raised his right hand and enlisted in the Coast 
Guard.
  Little did Jack know that in the spring of 1944, he would be assigned 
to ``Operation Neptune,'' the designation for the naval operation 
supporting the largest invasion in military history code named 
Operation Overlord. His 83-foot cutter was assigned to a special unit 
of 60 cutters named ``Rescue Flotilla One.'' Their mission was to 
rescue soldiers lost in the water during the invasion at Normandy.
  We hear much about the men who fought and died that day, ultimately 
turning the tide of World War II. But little is known about Jack's 
efforts and the efforts of more than 800 of his fellow guardsmen who 
saved the lives of 1,500 men and one woman, pulling them from the 
chilly waters off the Normandy coast and ferrying them to the hospital 
ships some 10 miles away. It was right and fitting that he was 
presented with the French Legion of Honor medal for his efforts. He 
also was one of only 75 American military members to be invited to

[[Page E798]]

have dinner with the Queen of England in commemoration of D-Day's 50th 
anniversary.
  Jack Hamlin continued to live his life fully, even jumping out of an 
airplane at age 95, and serving his state and fellow man. He was loved 
by all who knew him, and this true American hero will be greatly 
missed.

                          ____________________