HR 182: Graziano, Retired Master Sergeant Louis C.; commend

House Resolution 182

By: Representatives Richardson of the 125th, Cannon of the 172nd, Clark of the 100th, Horner of the 3rd, and Bonner of the 73rd

A RESOLUTION

Commending and congratulating Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano was born in 1923, making him the last surviving World War II veteran to witness Germany's surrender, and this year he enjoys the rare distinction of celebrating his 102nd birthday; and

WHEREAS, this distinguished individual landed on Omaha Beach with the Third Wave on D-Day, courageously driving a tanker truck full of gasoline through the battlefield while under relentless machine gun fire from German forces positioned on the cliffs above; and

WHEREAS, after D-Day, he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge, where he almost lost his feet to frostbite, and he took part in the June 6th invasion of Normandy in 1944; and

WHEREAS, he served as the utilities foreman for the 102nd Infantry Field Artillery Battalion Special Headquarters Command in Reims, France, where he was responsible for all American-occupied buildings in Reims, including the Little Red Schoolhouse where Germany signed the surrender document; and

WHEREAS, after witnessing the signing, Retired Master Sergeant Graziano personally escorted the German delegation to another room to meet General Dwight D. Eisenhower; and

WHEREAS, Retired Master Sergeant Graziano met his future wife, Eula "Bobbie" Shaneyfelt, while he was in Reims, where she served as a staff sergeant in the Women's Army Corps, and the couple moved back to the United States and raised five children, Louis, Moira, Marsha, David, and Kim; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his extraordinary service, he has received numerous medals and commendations throughout his life, including being knighted by the Consul General of the Republic of France in 2021 as a recipient of the French Legion Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, by the example Retired Master Sergeant Graziano has made of his life, he makes this world a better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and proper that he be appropriately recognized during this very special and memorable time.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano for his unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to the members of his family, state, and nation; congratulate him on the remarkable occasion of his 102nd birthday; and extend their most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano.