25 LC 112 2875
House Resolution 182
By: Representatives Richardson of the 125
th
, Cannon of the 172
nd
, Clark of the 100
th
, Horner
of the 3
rd
, and Bonner of the 73
rd
A RESOLUTION
Commending and congratulating Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano; and for other
1
purposes.2
WHEREAS, Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano was born in 1923, making him the3
last surviving World War II veteran to witness Germany's surrender, and this year he enjoys4
the rare distinction of celebrating his 102nd birthday; and5
WHEREAS, this distinguished individual landed on Omaha Beach with the Third Wave on6
D-Day, courageously driving a tanker truck full of gasoline through the battlefield while7
under relentless machine gun fire from German forces positioned on the cliffs above; and8
WHEREAS, after D-Day, he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge, where he almost lost9
his feet to frostbite, and he took part in the June 6th invasion of Normandy in 1944; and10
WHEREAS, he served as the utilities foreman for the 102nd Infantry Field Artillery11
Battalion Special Headquarters Command in Reims, France, where he was responsible for12
all American-occupied buildings in Reims, including the Little Red Schoolhouse where13
Germany signed the surrender document; and14
H. R. 182
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WHEREAS, after witnessing the signing, Retired Master Sergeant Graziano personally
15
escorted the German delegation to another room to meet General Dwight D. Eisenhower; and16
WHEREAS, Retired Master Sergeant Graziano met his future wife, Eula "Bobbie"17
Shaneyfelt, while he was in Reims, where she served as a staff sergeant in the Women's18
Army Corps, and the couple moved back to the United States and raised five children, Louis,19
Moira, Marsha, David, and Kim; and20
WHEREAS, in recognition of his extraordinary service, he has received numerous medals21
and commendations throughout his life, including being knighted by the Consul General of22
the Republic of France in 2021 as a recipient of the French Legion Medal of Honor; and23
WHEREAS, by the example Retired Master Sergeant Graziano has made of his life, he24
makes this world a better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and proper that he be25
appropriately recognized during this very special and memorable time.26
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that27
the members of this body commend Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano for his28
unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to the members of his family, state, and nation;29
congratulate him on the remarkable occasion of his 102nd birthday; and extend their most30
sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.31
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to33
Retired Master Sergeant Louis C. Graziano.34
H. R. 182
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