[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 107 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO MAJOR ERNEST ``HOSS'' McBRIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. JAY KIM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 3, 1998

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, Major Ernest McBride was a Mississippi country 
boy called ``Hoss'' because of his huge lumbering frame. Hoss is 
remembered by his comrades as a wonderful human being who gave his life 
for his country. He was always very popular because of his gentle 
personality and his guitar playing ability. His name graces the largest 
USAF Air Force Training Command Library at Keesler, AFB, Mississippi.
  Major McBride was born on December 20, 1930 in Hattiesburg, MI. He 
graduated from Demonstration High School on May 27, 1949. He met his 
future wife, Helen Giraldo of Bogota, Colombia while she was an 
exchange student at Southern Mississippi University. It was love at 
first sight despite the fact she knew very little English and he knew 
no Spanish. He married Giraldo on September 13, 1953 in Hattiesburg.
  Major McBride enlisted in the Air Force on April 16, 1952 and went 
through the Aviation Cadet program graduating in Class 53G. He was 
commissioned as 2nd lieutenant and as a USAF pilot on June 16, 1956 in 
Brian, Texas after which he immediately began flying fighter aircraft. 
The following year off the coast of Japan, Hoss was sent in his F-86 to 
help locate and recover a downed aircraft. His success in this mission 
earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  In 1963, Major McBride graduated from Southern Mississippi. From 
there he went to Panama for service with the 605 Air Commando Squadron 
and flew T-28 and U-10 aircraft. He served in several South American 
countries with Military Training Teams (MTTs) teaching air forces how 
to conduct special operations against insurgent forces. In 1968, Hoss 
was assigned to the Air Operations Center in Savannakhet, Laos. 
According to the book, ``The Ravens'' Hoss would make candy runs over 
towns dropping candy to friendly troops and children. On November 27, 
1968 Hoss mistook a column of North Vietnamese troops for friendlies. 
When he returned to drop candy, he was struck by a .30 caliber round in 
the chest. His plane landed upside down in a nearby river. Hoss was 
buried in Hattiesburg next to his father.
  He is survived by his widow Giraldo who lives in Bogota, Colombia, a 
daughter Becky McBride of Canoga Park, California, a son who is curator 
of a museum in Cartagena, Colombia, and his mother, a sister, and two 
brothers all of whom live in Hattiesburg, The aircraft he flew were the 
F-86, T-28, O-1, and U-10. His decorations included the Distinguished 
Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with two 
Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Purple Heart. He was one of the most popular 
pilots in the Air Force and will always be remembered by his comrades 
as a fine human being.

                          ____________________