[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11492-S11493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A FITTING NEW HAMPSHIRE TRIBUTE FOR FALLEN AMERICAN HERO

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the memory of Sgt. William Roy Pearson, USAF. Earlier today, 
his remains were returned to his native town of Webster, New Hampshire 
where he will finally be properly laid to rest with full military 
honors this weekend, more than 25 years following his tragic loss in 
Vietnam.
  Sergeant Pearson was the all American boy who grew up in a small, New 
Hampshire town, played varsity baseball and soccer all four years at 
Merrimack Valley High School, and then, like his father before him, 
went off to serve his country in time of war. As an Air Force 
Pararescue ``Maroon Beret'', he was awarded a Silver Star, Purple 
Heart, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and five air medals for his 
actions. To Sergeant Pearson, living up to the USAF Pararescuemen 
motto--``that others may live''--was a daily routine in the jungles of 
Vietnam.
  Then came the tragic day on April 6, 1972 when once again his unit 
was called upon to rescue a downed U.S. Air Force pilot whose rescue 
story was later depicted in the movie, BAT-21. During the rescue 
attempt conducted by Sergeant Pearson and his crewmembers, the Jolly 
Green was shot down by enemy fire, killing those on

[[Page S11493]]

board. Sergeant Pearson was only 20 years old.
  But it was not until two decades later that U.S. personnel were 
finally permitted by Vietnam to fully investigate and excavate what 
remained of the crash site. Despite the passage of time, the recovery 
team was able to identify and repatriate the remains of Sergeant 
Pearson, and we are grateful to our military for their efforts in this 
regard.
  Sergeant Pearson was a hero, not only for his commitment to freedom 
and the sacrifices he made by serving in Vietnam, but also for his 
courage in trying to save a comrade, who, I might add, was eventually 
rescued six days later. His heroic deeds were exemplary of the New 
Hampshire spirit of duty, honor, and valor, and his story will be an 
inspiring and moving one in the history of United States Air Force 
Pararescue for all generations that follow in his footsteps.
  As a fellow Vietnam veteran and a long-time advocate for the families 
of our POWs and MIAs who have suffered uncertainty for far too many 
years, my thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Pearson's parents, 
siblings, family members, fellow comrades, and friends. I know they are 
all very proud of his service, as they now close this long, sad chapter 
in their lives.
  Finally, Mr. President, I also want to publicly thank the United 
States Air Force, including personnel at Hanscom Air Force Base in 
Massachusetts, and Sergeant Pearson's fellow Maroon Berets for the 
special care they have taken to honor their own, and to bid Sergeant 
Pearson a fitting farewell in a such a dignified manner. I know that 
the honors bestowed on Sergeant Pearson by the Air Force during this 
difficult weekend ahead will help to console those who have suffered 
the most from his loss. It has been a long wait, but we are grateful he 
has now returned home for this fitting final goodbye in New 
Hampshire.

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