[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25944]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


COMMENDING DWAIN LUCE, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, FOR HIS SERVICE DURING WORLD 
                                 WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to 
recognize Mr. Dwain Luce of Mobile, AL, for his courageous service 
during World War II. His heroic story, along with other Mobilians, is 
told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.''
  After graduating from Auburn University with a reserve commission in 
1938, Mr. Luce went to Mississippi to work for his family's cannery 
business. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was 
recalled to active duty and reported to duty on January 15, 1942.
  As a lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division's 320th Glider Field 
Artillery Battalion, he participated in the invasions of Sicily and 
later Italy. He was promoted to captain, and he and his unit were sent 
to England to train for the invasion of France. He landed his glider at 
Normandy on June 6, 1944, and survived 33 days of fighting there.
  Several months later, his unit saw action again when they were 
dropped behind enemy lines into Holland as part of Operation Market 
Garden. They remained in Holland for 6 weeks battling both the Germans 
and the cold weather.
  He and his unit also participated in the Battle of the Bulge where 
they anchored the northern flank of the American lines. On May 1, 1945, 
the 82nd Airborne took 144,000 German prisoners as they surrendered to 
Americans.
  His story, along with other Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' 
documentary series ``The War.'' Madam Speaker, the recognition of Dwain 
Luce in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause 
and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They 
personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to 
take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Luce and his selfless devotion to 
our country and the freedom we enjoy.

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