[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H5897-H5898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                COL. MARTIN BERNDT--A TRUE AMERICAN HERO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pride tonight to 
address my colleagues and a salute an American hero, Marine Col. Martin 
Berndt. Just a few days ago Richard and Muriel Berndt were not aware of 
the danger their son faced until it was over. The Springfield Township, 
Montgomery County, PA, couple knew he was overseas, but did not know 
that Col. Martin Berndt led the marine unit that rescued Air Force 
Capt. Scott O'Grady. O'Grady's F-16C was downed Friday, June 2, by a 
Serbian SA-6 missile in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He commands 2,000 Marines 
that belong to a Marine amphibious unit.
  But the couple were awakened from a peaceful night's rest in their 
Oreland, PA, home where they have lived for 34 years. They had heard 
about the successful mission around 2 a.m., but at 6 a.m., his 
daughter-in-law called Mr. Berndt, Sr., to tell him that his son was in 
charge of the entire operation which was so successful.
  Their son had been involved with military operations in Vietnam, 
Haiti, Panama, and the Persian Gulf, and after a successful mission, 
Colonel Berndt said, ``Well, tomorrow it is back to 
work.'' [[Page H5898]] 
  Colonel Berndt's courageous actions in the former Yugoslavia were 
right in line with his character. He always told his parents he would 
not ask his men to do anything he would not do himself.
  His decorations since he has joined the Marines in 1969 include the 
Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Navy Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two 
stars, the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star, and the Joint 
Service Commendation Medal with a bronze oak leaf cluster.
  After graduating from Springfield High School in 1965 and West 
Chester University in 1969, Colonel Berndt was commissioned a second 
lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He just came home 1 day and told his 
parents, ``I have joined the Marines.'' His father said he is always 
very decisive, even as a child; quiet, active, and very decisive.
  Throughout his brilliant 26-year military career, Berndt has served 
as a weapons platoon commander, a rifle platoon commander, a political 
military planner with the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Middle 
East/Africa planner, the U.S. liaison to the West Africa Peacekeeping 
Force, and as well the Assistant Chief of Staff of Headquarters, 
commanding officer of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, and 
commanding officer of the First Battalion, Sixth Marines.
  Berndt and his wife, Diana, have been married for 26 years,, and have 
three children, Danielle, Martin, and Dennis, and they live on the U.S. 
Marine Corps Base in Camp Lejeune. Quite appropriately, Colonel Berndt 
is in line for promotion to brigadier general.
  We salute tonight, Mr. Speaker, Col. Martin Berndt; a first class 
American leader, an outstanding Patriot, and a genuine military hero of 
the United States. God bless our men and women who fight for us every 
day in the Armed Forces of the United States to make sure that America 
is free. Semper Fi.


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