The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRATULATING MASTER SERGEANT LOUIS C. GRAZIANO ON HIS DECREE AND
MEDAL AS A CHEVALIER IN THE 'ORDRE NATIONAL DE LA LEGION D'HONNEUR'
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HON. JODY B. HICE
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Master Sergeant Luciano ``Louis'' C. Graziano, a resident of the Tenth Congressional District of Georgia and the last known surviving witness to the German surrender of World War II. His story is truly incredible, and his contribution during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Europe is worthy of our nation's everlasting gratitude.
On June 6, 1944, D-Day, Louis was aboard a landing craft with his men and landed upon the sands of Omaha Beach in Normandy France. Once beached, Louis drove a truck full of gasoline onto the sand. With no place to go, he abandoned the vehicle and gathered his weapons to get into the fight. He took up a position at the base of a cliff and fired a burst from a flame thrower to take out a German machinegun nest.
But, Madam Speaker, further up the cliff were even more enemy machinegun nests. In quick thinking, Louis took a flare gun and fired a flare into those positions hoping to direct the fire of allied ships cruising just off the beach. The gun crews on the ships responded as hoped, unleashing their fire from larger caliber guns destroying those positions beyond.
Advancing beyond the shores of Normandy, the French city of St. Lo and Reims were soon liberated. It was in Reims that Louis's skill in his craft would come into play and eventually afford him a seat to history itself. Upon establishment of a command post within the heavily mined city, Louis was ordered to install General Eisenhower's phone line. This phone line was vital for the General's real time communication, helping to bring about a timelier allied victory.
As allied forces fought to reclaim the town of Bastogne, the Germans mounted a last-ditch counteroffensive known as the ``Battle of the Bulge.'' In response, all troops were being mustered to come to the rescue of encircled troops near the Belgian town of Bastogne. In a dangerous mission, Louis and his Captain had to search and find the lost armored element. They suffered frostbite, but their effort was successful. After, Louis returned to Reims to recover.
Among the buildings in Reims, there was a ``Little Red Schoolhouse'' where General Eisenhower had his headquarters. It was there that the unconditional surrender of Germany was signed in the early morning hours of Monday, May 7, 1945. Louis was there, in the room, as General Yodl of the German Army signed the articles of surrender.
Madam Speaker, Louis has served our Nation with integrity, excellence, and courage, and we, as Americans, owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for his incredible sacrifices to serve and protect our country at home and abroad. He not only has earned the admiration of his fellow Americans but that of our allies as well. On April 6, 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron approved awarding him the French Legion d'honneur, which is the highest French order of merit that can be bestowed upon an individual. For these reasons, I am honored to represent him in Congress, and it is with pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and legacy of Master Sergeant Luciano ``Louis'' C. Graziano.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 91
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