[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 105 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JAMES D. McELHANNON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James D. 
McElhannon as he has been awarded with the nation's Military Order of 
the Purple Heart Award.
  James D. McElhannon is a resident of Lemoore, and a retired Master 
Sergeant of the Korean War. During his time served in Korea, he was 
wounded in the battle for the Naktong River on September 10-20, 1950. 
Sergeant McElhannon was leading his platoon (2nd platoon, Charlie, 3rd 
combat Engineer Battalion) on a night reconnaissance when enemy forces 
began firing their weapons. McElhannon was wounded by a mortar attack, 
receiving shrapnel in his leg. He refused medical attention in order to 
continue his mission. Though losing blood through the night, Sergeant 
McElhannon used his own bayonet to remove the shrapnel in his leg. The 
2nd Platoon Charlie Company held fast did not withdraw until the 
platoon was officially relieved.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor James D. McElhannon for his 
bravery and commitment in the Korean War. His courage has lead him to 
receive the nation's Military Order of the Purple Heart Award. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in wishing James McElhannon many more years of 
success.

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