[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14960-S14961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WALTER T. STEWART

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to an exemplary 
citizen from the State of Utah, Walter T. Stewart, and to recognize his 
extraordinary service to our Nation in World War II.
  It is my privilege and honor to report that Walter Stewart is being 
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, our Nation's second highest 
military medal, for his extraordinary heroism and gallantry in the most 
decorated military battle in U.S. history.
  At that time, he was a 25-year-old pilot with the 330th Bombardment 
Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, based in the North African city of 
Benghazi, Libya. A dedicated veteran of the air war, Stewart had 
already flown 30 dangerous bomber missions.
  Walter Stewart was skilled and he as courageous. Although only a 
first lieutenant, he was selected as deputy force leader of a large 
formation of B-24 heavy bombers assigned to attack the Ploesti oil 
refineries in Nazi-occupied Romania in a massive low-level assault. The 
target, 1,200 miles in distance from Libya, was so vital to the Third 
Reich that it was the most heavily defended stronghold in Europe, well 
exceeding the defenses of Berlin itself.
  On August 1, 1943, Stewart's combat unit fearlessly spearheaded the 
enormous on-rush of 176 American heavy bombers over the Romanian 
countryside. As the attacking force neared its target, murderous 
antiaircraft fire erupted from a fully alerted and prepared enemy. The 
93rd Bombardment Group heroically pressed on in its attack, defying 
extremely heavy fire from hundreds of enemy guns and cannons.
  Only minutes from the target, the force leader's bomber and wingman 
were shot down in flames, and it fell to Lieutenant Stewart to take 
command at this perilous moment. Under his leadership, the attacking 
force swept over the target in waves, at roof-top altitude, and 
inflicted devastating damage upon its. As the lead aircraft, Lieutenant 
Stewart's B-24 Utah Man, dropped the first bomb on target.
  Utah Man sustained heavy battle damage and became separated from the 
rest of the attacking force. Utah Man had been hit with hundreds of 
shells and bullets, sustained damage to its cockpit instruments, and 
was heavily leaking fuel. Yet, Lieutenant Stewart skillfully piloted 
Utah Man over the long and perilous route over rugged alpine mountains 
and across the Mediterranean Sea back to its home base in North Africa. 
Lieutenant Stewart's crew suffered no casualties.
  On that August day in 1943, 310 men of the 93rd Bombardment Group 
died, 185 were taken prisoner, and 150 were wounded. Fifty-four 
aircraft never returned.
  Sadly, that was a fate that eventually befell Utah Man as well. In 
November 1943, after Water Stewart's reassignment to the United States, 
Utah 

[[Page S 14961]]
Man and its crewmen would be lost over Bremen, Germany.
  Lieutenant Stewart's coolness under fire, excellent judgment under 
pressure, courageous determination to reach the target, and his 
magnificent and inspiring leadership were of paramount value in the 
accomplishment of this dangerous mission. His service was such as to 
reflect great credit upon himself, the crew members of Utah Man, his 
home State of Utah, the University of Utah--his affinity for his alma 
mater is reflected in the name of his plane, his church, and his 
country.
  Today, Walter Stewart is a highly cherished member of his church and 
community, an enormously respected businessman and farmer, a former 
missionary, a musician, the husband of 51 years to his beloved wife 
Ruth, a devoted father to his 5 children, and a loving grandfather to 
his 23 grandchildren.
  Today, as in 1943, Walter Stewart exemplifies the American qualities 
of courage, hard work, integrity, and faith.
  I am proud to serve citizens like Walter Stewart in the Senate and 
proud to call my colleagues attention to this man's distinguished 
service to our country. I am delighted that he is finally to be awarded 
this significant military honor.

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