Recognizing Sergeant Harold Pressel

Floor Speech

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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.

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