[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 5, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  AWARD OF PURPLE HEART TO SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN IRAQI ``NO FLY'' 
                             ZONE INCIDENT

  (Mr. DIXON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute, and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Army and Air 
Force for their decision to award the Purple Heart posthumously to 
members of the Armed Forces killed on April 14, 1994, in a friendly 
fire incident in the northern Iraqi no fly zone. Fourteen American 
service members on peacekeeping duty--were killed when two American F-
15C fighter aircraft accidently shot down two United States Black Hawk 
helicopters in northern Iraq.
  Mrs. Kaye Mounsey, the widow of Army WO Eric Mounsey--a pilot of one 
of the helicopters--resides in Culver City in my congressional 
district. I met with Mrs. Mounsey last summer and she related to me the 
concern which she and other family members shared about the initial 
decision of the military not to award the Purple Heart.
  As a result of language inserted in last year's defense 
appropriations conference report and the consistent advocacy of family 
members that decision has now been reversed. It was the appropriate 
thing to do.
  I am pleased that the services have agreed to recognize the sacrifice 
of these members of the Armed Forces. It is the appropriate thing to 
do. While there is little we can do to compensate for the loss of a 
husband, brother, sister or child, it is essential that we acknowledge 
the Nation's gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice that these Americans 
gave in service to their country.
  The role and complexity of United States Armed Forces missions have 
evolved and it is important that the services acknowledge that 
evolution. While the criteria for award of one of the Armed Forces' 
highest honors must remain high, I commend the services for recognizing 
that the Iraqi incident, occurring in the presence of hostile forces, 
meets the criteria for award of the Purple Heart.


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