[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 243 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 243

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Joseph Leon George should be 
   honored for heroism at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 2, 2017

    Mr. Flake (for himself, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cotton, Mrs. 
 McCaskill, and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

                           September 7, 2017

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Joseph Leon George should be 
   honored for heroism at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Whereas, on December 7, 1941, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George 
        was 26 years old;
Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George was a crewmember aboard the USS 
        Vestal (AR-4), a repair ship, on that day;
Whereas the USS Vestal was moored next to the USS Arizona (BB-39);
Whereas the Japanese began the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at 7:48 a.m.;
Whereas 6 sailors on the USS Arizona, Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman 
        First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, 
        Boatswain's Mate Second Class Alvin Dvork, Seaman First Class Donald 
        Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner, were trapped in 
        the control tower main mast after a massive explosion on the ship;
Whereas those 6 sailors suffered severe burns;
Whereas those wounded sailors searched for a way to escape the ship;
Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George saw the 6 wounded sailors on the 
        USS Arizona from the USS Vestal and threw a heaving line and a heavy 
        line;
Whereas all 6 sailors climbed, nearly 40 feet in the air, hand over hand across 
        the heavy line 70 feet to safety onboard the USS Vestal;
Whereas 2 sailors died shortly after from their injuries, but the remaining 4 
        survived;
Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George was commended for his actions, but 
        he was never given a medal for his role in the rescue of the 6 sailors;
Whereas the 2 surviving sailors rescued from the USS Arizona, Donald Stratton 
        and Lauren Bruner, seek to honor Boatswain's Mate Second Class George;
Whereas USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton stated, ``Joe George was never 
        awarded anything for his bravery. He is no longer with us, but I believe 
        in his memory, should be awarded the Navy Cross.''; and
Whereas USS Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner stated, ``The six of us would not 
        have survived except for his courage, in spite of being at high risk 
        himself. He fully deserves high commendations for his actions. I feel he 
        should be recognized for this courage and presented the Navy Cross.'': 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class 
        Joseph Leon George in saving the lives of 6 sailors on December 
        7, 1941; and
            (2) believes the United States Navy, in light of new 
        information, should consider revisiting decorating and honoring 
        the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George 
        in saving the lives of 6 sailors on December 7, 1941.
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