Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Honors WWII Veteran Kenneth C. Thayer on House Floor
Washington, DC - Congresswomen Claudia Tenney (NY-22), delivered a floor speech today in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing the heroic military service of WWII U.S. Army National Guard veteran Kenneth C. Thayer, who is among New York State's most decorated living veterans. Thayer is a resident of Clinton, New York.
Congresswoman Tenney presented Mr. Thayer with a Presidential Unit Citation Medal on Sunday after her office worked with the Department of the Army to assist Mr. Thayer in obtaining the award he and his military unit rightfully earned so many decades ago. The Presidential Unit Citation is one of the highest honors a U.S. military unit can receive. For his military service, Thayer has also received the Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts.
She delivered the following remarks on the House floor. Click here to watch.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize the incredible life and military career of one of New York State’s most decorated World War II veterans, US Army National Guard veteran, Private First Class Mr. Kenneth C. Thayer. Mr. Thayer is part of a distinguished National Guard Unit that displayed heroic and patriotic service in defense of the United States. In recognition of his unwavering service to our Nation, I recently had the opportunity to present Mr. Thayer with the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the highest honors a military unit can receive.
The army has requested this Presidential Unit Citation for the 30th Infantry Division since 1946. It wasn’t until last year, nearly 75 years later, that President Trump recognized this unit and the well deserving group of men for their selfless acts of bravery and devotion to our country.
Mr. Thayer was a soldier in the National Guard’s 30th Infantry Division, a unit known for their exemplary conduct in both WWI and WWII. The 30th Division was formed in 1917, soon after the United States had entered World War I. They fought heroically in France against the German army, and once the war ended, they returned to their pre-war status in the National Guard. Then, on September 1st, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, initiating World War II. The 30th Division was quickly reinstated by 1940 and called upon to fight. They first saw combat on Omaha Beach on June 11th, 1944.
Mr. Thayer entered active service on December 9th, 1943, just two years after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A Utica native, Mr. Thayer was sent to the 30th after recovering from an injury he sustained in 1944. His division was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because the majority of the men were from southern states closely associated with President Andrew Jackson, and Mr. Thayer would grow very close with many of them. The 30th would go on to become one of the most important forces in the United States’ European Theater Operations.
The 30th Division was in active combat from June 1944 to April 1945, a total of 282 days. One of its most challenging battles was fought at Mortain, France. From August 6th, 1944 to August 12th, 1944, the 30th Infantry Division was faced with a continuous attack from the German forces who were attempting to break through Allied lines. Over 2,000 men in this division alone died while fighting to drive the Germans from France, but the courage of this division helped turn the tide of the war and will be remembered for generations to come.
Mr. Thayer Co-Authored two volumes entitled "The Young Liberators" from Civilian to Soldier" with historian Allan Foote, whose father also served in the 30th Infantry Division during WW II, Master Sergeant Arthur A. Foote.
Writing about one of the artillery barrages during that period, Mr. Thayer states in his book, “ I kept on scrambling around in a futile attempt to find someone, anyone I could help. [...] Out of 220 men, I was the only survivor. It was an absolute nightmare”. It's almost impossible to imagine the atrocities that these men witnessed. As Americans, we remember the bravery and sacrifice that Mr. Thayer and so many of the 30th endured.
Between June 1944 and May 1945, the men of the United States Infantry Division participated in every major Western European campaign from Normandy to the Elbe River. Known as the "workhorse of the western front", the 30th was ranked as the top infantry division by a team of historians who worked under General Eisenhower. Chief Historian, Colonel S.L.A. Marshal, declared the 30th as "the finest infantry division in the European Theater of Operations.”
The reputation of “Old Hickory” is that of resolute dedication and valor. They are viewed as heroic not only to Americans, but to those whom they saved overseas. For instance, in the Netherlands, where the 30th Division liberated the town of Maastricht, the townspeople created a cemetery for these lost souls, and to this day, the community continues to place American flags at the grave sites every May in their memory. The town officials still keep in touch with Mr. Thayer, even though he’s living in assisted living.
For his service, Mr. Thayer has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts. A man of incredible courage and personal fortitude, Mr. Thayer is a true hero. He served our nation through tremendous strife, and yet he remains humble, gracious and incredibly sharp.
It was an honor to meet Mr. Thayer along with his co-Author Allan Foote this past weekend and present him with this well-deserved recognition. His life of courage and commitment to our nation is unparalleled. It would have been easy for him to give up in the face of evil. But Mr. Thayer and the men of the 30th Infantry never gave up. They were fiercely dedicated to changing the course of the war and they worked fearlessly to ensure that America and freedom would prevail.
It is truly an honor to share Mr. Thayer’s unique story in this historic chamber today. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to spend time with Mr. Thayer and hear his first-hand account of his experiences as a critical player in this major event in human history. At age 95, nearly 96, he is the last survivor of this venerable group of heroes. We will remember him and thank him for his great service.
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