[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO TWO GREAT NAVAL HEROES

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the wartime 
heroism and distinguished military service of Commander David H. 
McClintock and Captain Bladen D. Claggett, retired officers of the 
United States Navy. Few men have exhibited the degree of bravery shown 
by these two men during the Second World War. While fighting for the 
U.S. Navy, these men took part in the greatest naval battle of all 
time, Leyte Gulf. Their actions at this, the most substantial attack of 
the Pacific War, severely limited the Japanese fleet at Leyte Gulf and 
eventually led to a Japanese retreat from the area.
  In October of 1944, Commander David H. McClintock of the U.S.S. 
Darter discovered the Japanese main fleet and fired the first shots of 
the Battle for Leyte Gulf sinking the Japanese Flagship Atago, and 
crippling the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao. Captain Bladen D. Claggett 
of the U.S.S. Dace was also involved in the battle engaging and sinking 
the Japanese heavy Cruiser Maya. In attempting to close on the crippled 
cruiser, the Darter ran aground. The Darter's entire crew was rescued 
by the Dace, which ran the risk of grounding herself during the rescue.
  The actions of these two brave men and their crews will be remembered 
forever, not only because of the heroics involved, but because they 
played a major role in preventing a disastrous defeat of the landing 
force at Leyte Gulf.
  Today, I salute the captains and crews of the U.S.S. Darter and 
U.S.S. Dace. I commend Captain David H. McClintock and Captain Bladen 
D. Claggett for their distinguished careers and contributions to the 
United States of America. I extend my sincerest congratulations to 
Captain David H. McClintock and Captain Bladen D. Claggett, who will be 
present at a ground-breaking ceremony May 29th, 1999, to establish an 
exhibit to the Marquette Maritime Museum commemorating their most 
heroic deeds.

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