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Honoring The Service of Albert Wess

Honoring The Service of Albert Wess

Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY)
Congressional Record: 114th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
September 10, 2015

SPEECH OF HON. ANDY BARR OF KENTUCKY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding individual, Mr. Albert Wess, of Paris, Kentucky. Mr. Wess, a part of the Greatest Generation, answered his nation's call to service during World War II. Today it is my honor to recognize him before the House of Representatives.

Mr. Wess was born in North Middletown, Kentucky. During World War II he was a member of the United States Army. He served his country as a truck driver in the famous ``Red Ball Express''. He and his fellow drivers delivered munitions and supplies to the Army front lines in Europe, following General George Patton. They supplied troops fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and the many battles that followed. The brave convoy drivers traveled at night with no lights, making it more difficult for German planes to strafe the convoys and destroy the trucks and supplies.

Mr. Wess worked in the steel mills of Ohio for a time after his military service ended. He then moved back to Bourbon County, where he worked at the Lexington Army Depot for thirty two years. After retirement, he worked for Wilson's Drug for more than nineteen years. Mr. Jones and his late wife have four children. He continues to be active in his church, Seventh Street Christian Church in Paris.

The bravery of Mr. Wess and his fellow men and women of the United States Army is heroic. Because of his courage and the courage of individuals from all across Kentucky and our great nation, our freedoms have been preserved for our generation and for future generations. He is truly an outstanding American, a patriot, and a hero to us all.