[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BOB ETHERIDGE HONORING CAPT. FULTON PERSHING LANIER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Captain 
Fulton Pershing Lanier of Buies Creek, North Carolina, for his service 
to the people of the United States of America. Captain Fulton served 
honorably in the United States Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1944.
  United States service men and women place themselves in harms way to 
protect the freedoms we hold dear in America. Many of these brave 
individuals return home to build and lead their communities. 
Tragically, Fulton Lanier did not have such an opportunity.
  On January 31, 1944, then 1st Lieutenant Lanier, along with 1st 
Lieutenant Frank M. Ramos, Corporal Joseph Petrella, Private First 
Class Eugene E. Beebe, and Private First Class Bartholomew R. 
Giacalone, boarded his C-87 Liberator and piloted what would be his 
final mission. These five men perished in service to humanity, 
supplying food, medical and other supplies to Allied forces of China.
  Fulton Lanier's legacy may have been greater than even he could have 
imagined. His service and sacrifice for our country has been 
permanently instilled in the hearts and minds of his family and all who 
knew him. Fulton Pershing Lanier is an American hero.
  Fifty-four years later, the Lanier family received notice that 
wreckage from this fateful flight was recovered. Upon notification, the 
Lanier family has embarked on a mission of studying and sharing the 
story and example of this young man from Buies Creek.
  Fulton Lanier paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United 
States of America, serving his family, community, state, and nation. 
His burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 
January 23, 1998, was only a small way his nation can acknowledge the 
debt owed to Fulton Lanier and his family that can never be repaid.
  I am honored to report to the House on the heroism of Captain Fulton 
Pershing Lanier. May God bless him in his place of resting.