[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15258-S15259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             WORLD WAR II VETERANS LEAVE LEGACY OF FREEDOM

 Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, there are defining moments in 
history, as there are in all our lives. World War II was one of those 
times. History stood still while men and women from nations around the 
world struggled mightily to determine which direction the future would 
take.
  Fifty years ago, when that war ended, America embarked on a journey 
toward freedom--not suppression; toward peace--not war; and toward 
progress for all peoples--not ignorance, fear and darkness.
  While we still are far from reaching the end of that journey, we know 
now, as we did then, that our path would have been quite different had 
not so many American men and women offered their country years of 
personal sacrifice. More than 400,000 Americans gave their lives, and 
their simple, dignified graves here and around the world mark their 
heritage far better than words.
  Among that number more than 6,000 Tennesseans died on foreign 
battlefields during that great conflict. Yet today 150,000 Tennessee 
men and women who served their country so well 50 years ago still are 
living.
  On October 11, 1995, the United States Congress held a rare joint 
Senate-House meeting in the chamber of the House of Representatives to 
honor our World War II veterans, and those who served on the home 
front. I was pleased to be able to invite a Tennessee war veteran to 
attend this ceremony, and was honored to welcome Brig. Gen. Enoch 
Stephenson of Columbia, TN.
  A combat pilot during the war, Stephenson flew 66 combat missions in 
a P-51 Mustang for the 8th Air Force, including missions over Berlin, 
Poland, and Czechoslovakia.
  Stephenson, then a lieutenant based in Great Britain, normally ``flew 
escort for heavy bombers--B-24s and B-17s--on their daylight raids,'' 
as he recounted. ``* * * As the Army started working its way across 
Europe, we continued to escort the bombers. But after they had 
completed their bomb run and were headed back to England, we'd leave 
them and go look for targets of opportunity.''
  After the war Stephenson returned to Tennessee and took a position 
with the Third National Bank in Nashville. He also served in the 
Tennessee National Guard until he retired 24 years later. He is 
currently chairman of the World War II Memorial Trust--an organization 
focused on creating a World War II memorial on the Tennessee 
Bicentennial walk planned for Nashville.
  During his career Stephenson received the Legion of Merit, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 
six Oak Leaf Clusters and the European Battlefield Ribbon with four 
Battle Stars.
  But Stephenson represented more than one man when he traveled to 
Washington for the special ceremony and recognition. Sitting with him 
in that congressional Chamber were all of Tennessee's World War II 
veterans, living and dead.
  With him was Sgt. Charles H. Coolidge of Signal Mountain who served 
in the 36th Infantry Division in France. On October 24, 1944, 
Coolidge's company was under heavy enemy tank and machine gun fire 
delivered at close range. Coolidge picked up a bazooka and moved to 
within 25 yards of the tanks. When the bazooka failed to function he 
threw it aside, crawled even closer and armed only with hand grenades 
inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy.
  With him was Sgt. Vernon McGarity of Memphis who served in the 99th 
Infantry Division. On December 16, 1944, near Krinkelt, Belgium, 
McGarity was wounded in an artillery barrage. After being treated at an 
aid station, he refused evacuation and returned to the men of his 
squad. Then, in the thick of battle and under heavy fire, he separately 
rescued two wounded American soldiers, immobilized the lead tank of the 
enemy with a rocket launcher, and ran through concerted enemy fire to 
recover ammunition critical to his unit's ability to continue the 
fight. When his squad was pinned down by a German machine gun, McGarity 
left cover, charged the machine gun, and single-handedly killed or 
wounded all the enemy gunners.
  Also with Stephenson in that stately congressional Chamber was 1st 
Lt. Hugh B. Mott of Nashville who served in the 9th Armored Engineer 
Battalion in Germany. On March 7, 1945, Mott arrived with his unit at 
Remagen Bridge which crossed the Rhine River. Although the bridge was 
protected by enemy demolition charges and intense sniper, machine gun 
and 20 mm fire, Mott ran along the entire length of the bridge cutting 
the wires leading to the demolitions. By doing this he prevented the 
immediate destruction of the bridge and enabled U.S. forces to 
establish a bridge head on the east bank of the Rhine River.
  Following the war Mott joined the Tennessee National Guard, from 
which he retired as a major general. He served in the State 
Legislature, and for several years was the chief of police in 
Nashville.
  Mott was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, among other honors. 


[[Page S 15259]]
Both Coolidge and McGarity were recipients of the Nation's highest 
battlefield award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  It is sometimes hard to believe that a half-century has passed since 
heros like Enoch Stephenson, Charles Coolidge, Vernon McGarity, Hugh 
Mott--and so many others--left their homes and families to travel into 
hell.
  Time, however, will never diminish their sacrifices and service to 
our Nation. For, quite simply, their legacy is nothing less than the 
freedom we enjoy today. And that is the most important legacy anyone 
can leave.

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