[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4514-S4515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL JOHN BULKELEY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the dedication, 
public service and patriotism that personified the life of Vice Admiral 
John Duncan Bulkeley, USN. Admiral Bulkeley, who passed away on April 
6, was one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of World War 
II, and served nearly 60 years of active duty during his career.
  A native of New York City, Admiral Bulkeley entered the U.S. Navy 
after graduating from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and was 
commissioned in March of 1934. He began his Navy career as a junior 
watch officer aboard the cruiser Indianapolis. He then spent time on 
the carrier Saratoga and as an

[[Page S4515]]

engineering officer in Chinese waters aboard the gunboat Sacramento, 
before being given a special assignment in 1941 to help begin a new 
branch of naval service--patrol torpedo boats.
  Lieutenant John Bulkeley's performance as a PT boat squadron leader 
is legendary. He earned the nickname ``Sea Wolf'' for his daring raids 
on the Japanese Navy in the early days of the Pacific war. Most notable 
among his heroic deeds was Lieutenant Bulkeley's bold rescue of General 
Douglass MacArthur from the Philippines in 1942. General MacArthur had 
become surrounded by the Japanese while remaining on the island of 
Corregidor during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Lieutenant 
Bulkeley's PT squadron broke through a Japanese blockade and carried 
the general and his family to safety. ``Johnny,'' said MacArthur, 
``you've taken me out of the jaws of death--and I won't forget it.'' 
General MacArthur did not forget, and for his efforts in the early part 
of the war, John Bulkeley received the highest award this Nation 
bestows for valor, the Medal of Honor.
  The Sea Wolf's career did not end there. In 1942, he spent time 
stateside recruiting young officers for the PT program, among them a 
stalwart young man named John F. Kennedy.
  Admiral Bulkeley then headed for Europe, where he commanded a group 
of PT boats that helped clear the way for the D-Day invasion at Utah 
beach in Normandy. He commanded the destroyer Endicott during the 
invasion of southern France, and sank two German warships--the only 
German warships sunk in surface-to-surface combat during the entire war 
in the Mediterranean.
  At the end of WWII John Bulkeley was not yet 32 years old, but he had 
already received every medal for courage that our country awards. 
Following the war, Bulkeley graduated from the Armed Forces Staff 
College. He also taught electrical engineering at the Naval Academy and 
served on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  His service did not stop here, however. Admiral Bulkeley commanded a 
destroyer division in Korean waters during the Korean war; in 1961 he 
was appointed commander of the Guantanamo Naval base in Cuba, an 
assignment he received from his old friend President John F. Kennedy; 
and in 1964 he was assigned as president of the Navy Board of 
Inspection and Survey, a position which he held for nearly 23 years. 
Under his active leadership, the INSURV Board was directly responsible 
for the delivery of combat-ready ships, whether new or coming out of 
overhaul.
  When his remarkable career came to an end, Vice Admiral Bulkeley was 
one of the most decorated sailors in American history. In addition to 
receiving the Medal of Honor, Admiral Bulkeley was also presented the 
Navy Cross, two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, three 
Distinguished Service Medals, two Silver Stars, two awards of the 
Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, and numerous other decorations and 
citations for outstanding performance and service to his country.
  Vice Admiral Bulkeley was a true American patriot and a superb naval 
officer who, throughout his naval career, led with courage and 
integrity. His leadership and performance throughout an intense and 
demanding period in naval and military history were instrumental in the 
successful administration of the Navy and outstanding support for naval 
forces throughout the world. Thanks to his inspirational leadership and 
selfless dedication to duty, our Navy has remained second to none. He 
will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________