[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING SERGEANT HAROLD PRESSEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 31, 2025

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Sergeant (SGT) 
Harold Pressel, U.S. Army Air Corps, on the auspicious occasion of his 
101st Birthday on February 3, 2025.
  SGT Pressel honorably served alongside the ``Greatest Generation'' in 
WWII as a machine gunner on the B-24 Liberator, during which he 
earned--among myriad awards and decorations--the Purple Heart for his 
actions and wounds in combat. His aircraft was hit by flak after 
turning around for a second bomb run, which pierced the fuel tank. 
After bailing from the plummeting aircraft, SGT Pressel told himself 
not to panic even when overcoming his parachute malfunction that caused 
him to barrel 120 MPH towards the ground.
  After landing safely, he was surrounded by the enemy. Five German 
soldiers took him to a nearby farmhouse, where a German officer was 
waiting. While being interrogated with the rest of his crew, SGT 
Pressel and his crewmates remained steadfast by answering every enemy 
question with only ``name, rank, and serial number''--and was thrown in 
a boxcar headed to a German Prisoner of War camp. After suffering 
horrors from starvation to bug infestations, SGT Pressel and his crew 
were liberated by General George Patton's Army on April 29, 1945.
  SGT Pressel returned to the United States a hero. After a brief time 
at the air base in Middletown, he began his civilian career at the 
Motter Electrical Shop in York, Pennsylvania--where he helped build 
numerous nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania.
  SGT Pressel shared two sons--Jim and Gary--with his beloved wife, 
Grace, before her passing, as well as four grandchildren, six great-
grandchiidren, and one great-great grandchild.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm honored, humbled, and privileged to recognize 
Sergeant Harold Pressel on his 101st Birthday. I wish him the blessings 
of great health, happiness, and prosperity in his future adventures. 
``Thank you'' will never be enough for his service and sacrifices in 
the name of our great Nation. His life and legacy set the standard by 
which we all should be judged.

                          ____________________