[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING BRIG. GEN. JAMES DOWNS LATHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 1997

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Snowbarger, 
and I, rise today to pay tribute to the life of a man who has given 
much to his country. Brig. Gen. James Downs Latham is being honored 
Friday, June 20 for his retirement from the Air Force after a 
distinguished career of service.
  A native of the Kansas city area, General Latham started his Air 
Force career in pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma 
after receiving a B.S. degree in psychology from Kansas State 
University in 1969. An accomplished swimmer, he attended the university 
on a swimming scholarship where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon 
fraternity. He served as president of the Intrafraternity Council at 
KSU. He went on to become a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours, 
including 383 combat missions in Southeast and Southwest Asia. His 
commands have included a tactical fighter squadron, two fighter wings, 
a composite wing, Squadron Officer School, and the Air Force Reserve 
Officer Training Corps.
  General Latham's courage and bravery were exemplified by his 
voluntary assignment as a high speed forward Air Controller--(Wolf 
Fac.) during the Vietnam conflict. It was on such a mission that his F4 
phantom jet fighter was shot down over North Vietnam in October, 1972. 
He was immediately captured and detained in the southern panhandle of 
North Vietnam. In what has become known as a daring and legendary 
escape, he evaded his captors through the jungle and out into the South 
China Sea only to be recaptured and imprisoned in Hanoi until his 
release in the Spring of 1973.
  Known throughout the entire Air Force as the best of the best 
aviators, he was selected as commander/leader of the Thunderbirds, the 
Air Force's elite demonstration team. He was the first major to lead 
this prestigious group of aviators.
  He has received numerous awards and decorations. His decorations 
include the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart with 
oak leaf cluster. General Latham was awarded the Silver Star for 
gallantry and devotion to duty while flying against opposing armed 
forces in Southeast Asia and facing certain torture and probable death 
while a prisoner of war. His Purple Heart was awarded for the wounds 
incurred as a direct result of the Vietnam conflict.
  General Latham's many awards are a testimony to his qualities as a 
leader and to his abilities as a team builder in the finest tradition 
of the Air Force. Whether flying fighter aircraft, commanding fellow 
servicemen, or working in the Pentagon, General Jim Latham has shown 
courage throughout his career. Our Nation can be proud of this fine 
citizen whose dedication to his country make him truly a great 
American.
  Mr. Speaker, please join us in extending congratulations to General 
Latham and his wife, Sue, his daughters, Minde, Kendra, and Brecke and 
his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Latham.

                          ____________________