Recognizing Mr. Edgar ``bee'' Ernest Wilhelms, Jr.

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Edgar ``Bee'' Ernest Wilhelms, Jr. of Reynolds County, Missouri. Edgar Ernest Wilhelms, Jr. was born in Exchange, Missouri on September 12, 1925, to Edgar and Wessie Wilhelms. On May 15, 1943, Bee was united in marriage to Lucille Haywood. On December 3rd of that year, he was inducted into the U.S. Anny where he served until January 7, 1946. During his time in the Army, Corporal Wilhelms, Jr. served in the European Theater of Operations, was assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 758th Field Artillery Battalion and participated in three major campaigns: The Rhineland Campaign including the Battle of Hurtgen Forest; the Ardennes Campaign including the Battle of the Bulge, and the Central Europe Campaign. His awards included the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two service bars and three campaign stars, the Army Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon, WWII Army Occupation Medal with Germany Bar, and the Rifle Sharpshooter device.

Mr. Wilhelms was a loving husband, father, friend, and a proud lifelong member or the VFW Post 6660. Mr. Wilhelms departed this life just short of his 98th birthday on May 10, 2023. He was the last remaining World War II veteran in Reynolds County, Missouri.

On behalf of the people of southern Missouri, I am proud to honor the life of Mr. Edgar Ernest Wilhelms, Jr.

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