[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E351-E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR V. HODGES, AN AMERICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to inform this House of an 
Alabamian who personifies the best traditions of American military 
heroism, and whose proper recognition for meritorious service has 
finally been received after five decades of official oversight.
  Late in World War II as this nation focused its military might on 
Japan, Private Arthur Hodges of Dothan, Alabama was a scout in a rifle 
squad with the U.S. Army's 306th Infantry Regiment in the Western 
Pacific. On April 20, 1945, the 306th was called to assault Legusugu on 
the Island of Ie Shima, just south of Okinawa.
  The island was incredibly fortified and honeycombed with Japanese 
defenses. Enemy resistance to the landing American forces was severe. 
Hostile mortars, anti-tank guns, automatic weapons, and small arms 
covered the approaches with devastating fire delivered from concealed 
pill boxes and caves. Here's an excerpt from Private Hodges' war 
record:

       Private Hodges led his platoon's assault. When he 
     discovered a small group of the enemy in foxholes, he 
     disregarded the heavy fire which swept the area and worked 
     his way forward to a position within a few yards of the 
     Japanese position. Accurately throwing grenades into the 
     foxholes, he killed all four of the enemy. As he started 
     forward again he was fired upon by two enemy rifleman. He 
     took cover behind a rock and killed both of them with rifle 
     fire. When he arrived at the peak of the mountain, he located 
     an enemy machine gun which was blocking the advance of his 
     unit. He promptly attacked this position, destroyed the gun, 
     and killed its crew of two. As he returned to the top of the 
     mountain, he killed two more of the enemy attempting to flee. 
     Private Hodges' fearless aggressiveness and courage were an 
     inspiration to his comrades and were in keeping with the 
     highest military traditions.

  Private Hodges went on to become a Staff Sergeant and a squad leader 
in charge of 12 men. Among his many decorations, Sergeant

[[Page E352]]

Hodges received the Combat Infantry Badge, the World War II Victory 
Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Army Good Conduct 
Medal. Surprisingly, Sgt. Hodges, who was also awarded the Bronze and 
Silver Stars, never actually received those medals due to a paperwork 
glitch. After my office's personal inquiry on his behalf last 
September, I'm happy to report that Mr. Arthur Hodges will be presented 
his Bronze and Silver Stars by me on March 13--some 52 years after he 
earned them. I congratulate Mr. Hodges and am very proud to have played 
a part in seeing him finally receive the decorations which he has so 
long merited and deserved.

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