[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)] [House] [Pages H4787-H4788] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SALUTE TO LT. COL. HAROLD COHEN ON HIS RECEIPT OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Chambliss] is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to salute a remarkable man who is the subject of a remarkable story. Harold Cohen is a native of Spartanburg, SC. He is the son of a Russian immigrant. In 1942 Harold Cohen entered the Army of the United States of America as a private. Two and a half years later Harold Cohen was a major in the U.S. Army and a battalion commander. Ultimately Harold Cohen received the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. Colonel Cohen was a close personal friend and a colleague of Creighton Abrams. He and General Abrams served together as a part of General Patton's 3d Army. General Abrams was commander of the 37th Tank Battalion while Colonel Cohen commanded the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion. It has been said of Harold Cohen as follows: Often in the advance, Cohen's infantrymen would ride on Abrams' tanks. Cohen himself, remembered his men, was in constant motion. He sped up and down the column in a mud- splattered Jeep, pleading, coaxing and cursing. His high- pitched voice with his rich southern accent could be heard from great distances. Abrams as a tanker was impressed that infantry leaders like Cohen could motivate their men to move forward under fire with nothing but their OD shirts for protection and he often did so. Harold Cohen became a real World War II hero. For the exemplary service that Harold Cohen rendered to his country, Harold Cohen received four Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, the French Croix de Guerre, and awards from Poland, England, Czechoslovakia, and Luxembourg. But the highest recognition of Harold Cohen was yet to come. Harold Cohen mustered out of the Army after the war and became a successful businessman in Tifton, GA. Creighton Abrams went on to become Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Dr. Lewis Sorley, who is a resident of Potomac, MD, wrote a book called ``Thunderbolt.'' ``Thunderbolt'' included a long history of the life of Creighton Abrams. During the course of writing that book, Dr. Sorley discovered that during the latter part of World War II, Harold Cohen was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross by his men for bravery performed by Harold Cohen during an event that took place on February 25, 1945. The paperwork on this particular recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross for Harold Cohen unfortunately became lost during the process of the end of World War II. Dr. Sorley pursued the matter after he discovered this. He went to the U.S. Army, told them what had happened and thanks to his diligence, Harold Cohen today received the Distinguished Service Cross from Gen. Dennis Reimer, who is the current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. The receipt today was very special, because Harold's wife Bettye; Harold's children Marty and Peggy; their grandchildren, Anna, Rachel, Michael, and Alan were also present. I would like to take just a minute to read the citation that was presented to Harold Cohen today. The President of the United States, authorized by an act of Congress dated July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished Service [[Page H4788]] Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cohen, United States Army Retired, for extraordinary heroism in action. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cohen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism on February 25, 1945, when the situation became untenable during his battalion's attack upon Brake, Germany. Small arms, artillery and direct fire came from all directions. Colonel Cohen took a position of high ground in plain view of the enemy. Oblivious to all danger and constant fire that fell all about him, directed tank fire and lifted friendly artillery fire that was falling too close. His personal bravery, inspiring leadership and tactical skill retained the initiative and gained the important objective. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cohen's quick heroic actions and personal courage reflect great credit on him and the United States Army. Harold Cohen heads up my military academy appointment committee. I am very proud that Harold Cohen and his wife Bettye are my good friends. There are two people who tonight are not with us, Gen. George Patton and Gen. Abe Abrams, who are very proud of Harold Cohen. They rolled over tonight and smiled as Harold Cohen received the Distinguished Service Cross from General Reimer. They are proud of you, Harold, as am I. ____________________