[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO LEWIS W. HOLZHEIMER

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Lewis W. 
Holzheimer, a veteran of World War II. Lewis, on behalf of all 
Montanans and all Americans, I thank you for your service to this 
Nation.
  It is my honor to share the story of Lewis Holzheimer's service in 
World War II because no story of heroism should ever fall through the 
cracks.
  Lewis was born in Neihart, MT.
  He was working as a lineman's apprentice in Cascade County when Pearl 
Harbor was attacked. He tried to enlist in Seattle but was turned away, 
because he did not have his birth certificate. He successfully enlisted 
in Montana and was sent to Fort Benning, GA, where he was trained to 
operate heavy weapons and was assigned to operate a Browning automatic 
rifle.
  He was assigned to Company G, of the 60th Regiment of the 9th 
Infantry Division. He arrived in Normandy in early July 1944 on D-day 
plus 30. On August 8, 1944, Lewis was participating in the Battle of 
the Hedge Rows when he was wounded in the foot. After recovering, he 
headed back to his unit, only to find that they had been wiped out by 
what was believed to be a V-2 rocket attack. It turned out to be 
friendly fire.
  Lewis said the blast made a hole in the ground that looked like a 
deep mine crater.
  Lewis was reassigned to Company B in the same regiment. On December 
12, his unit was responsible for an attack on the town of Hoven in 
Belgium for which they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
  Lewis demonstrated outstanding bravery during that attack and was 
promoted to staff sergeant.
  His unit went on to see heavy action in the Battle of the Hurtgen 
Forest from late 1944 until early 1945. On the 1st of February 1945, 
Lewis's company was cut off from the rest of his regiment and was 
pinned down by sniper fire. The members of the company took turns 
running back toward the nearest American forces. When Lewis ran, he was 
shot under his left arm. When he informed his scout that he was wounded 
and would have to seek medical attention, a shell exploded near them. 
Despite being severely wounded, Lewis insisted that his scout be taken 
to the hospital first. He was informed that the scout was dead, was 
carried to a jeep, and was then taken to the nearest field hospital.
  Lewis nearly lost his leg and underwent several years of surgery and 
rehabilitation. He still carries the shrapnel in him today.
  After his service, Lewis Holzheimer never received the medals he 
earned from the Army.
  Last month, in the presence of his family, it was my honor to finally 
present to Lewis his Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with one Bronze 
Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, and his Presidential Unit 
Citation.
  These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of 
true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful Nation.

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