[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2095-E2096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO CHRIS FINK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our 
country's great veterans, Mr. Chris Fink. Chris received his commission 
as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on October 10, 1941. Shortly 
after World War II began, he was assigned to the Pacific as a dive-
bomber with the U.S.S. Enterprise.
  Chris was one of eleven Navy pilots assigned to defend the recently 
captured island of Guadalcanal. On the day following his arrival, 
Chris' squadron attacked the Japanese transport Kinryu Maru, sinking 
the vessel and denying the Japanese the opportunity to land its 1,000-
man force on the island. Three days later, Chris bombed the lead ship 
of Japanese destroyers, once again thwarting the enemy's attempt to 
take Guadalcanal and earning the nickname ``Never miss'em'' by his 
fellow airmen.
  Returning from Guadalcanal, Chris was awarded the Silver Star by 
Secretary of Navy Frank Knox for his bravery and actions. He soon 
rejoined his squadron and would later take part in numerous more naval 
missions, including campaigns over the Philippines, the China Sea, 
Japan, Formosa and Wake Island. Because of his success, Chris was 
called back to the U.S. to participate in the War Bond Tour, which 
would travel the country and rally people to purchase bonds to finance 
the war.
  Following World War II, Chris became the 23rd naval flier to receive 
a helicopter pilot's license, which was still considered an 
experimental aircraft, and traveled to several bases across the country 
demonstrating its potential. During the Korean War, Chris directed 
carrier-

[[Page E2096]]

based air strikes against North Korean forces and took on several 
assignments, including Commander of Fighter Squadron 54, Executive 
Commander of the U.S.S. Wasp, Deputy Commander at Naval Air Station, 
Memphis, and Navy Liaison at Sikorski Aircraft Company.
  In 1966, after 25 years of faithful service, Chris retired from the 
Navy having earned numerous awards and medals, including the Silver 
Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Presidential Unit Citation, 
and the National Defense Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, in an era when our nation's veterans are often not given 
sufficient recognition, outstanding leaders, such as Chris Fink, 
exemplify the courage and dedication of our nation's military and 
remind us all what it means to be an American hero.

                          ____________________