[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 112 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 112TH BIRTHDAY OF WORLD WAR I VETERAN JOHN PAINTER

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2000

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a happy 112th birthday 
to Tennessee's oldest surviving World War I veteran, John George 
Painter of Hermitage Springs. He is also believed to be the nation's 
oldest surviving veteran.
  Born on September 20, 1888, in the Keeling Branch community of 
Jackson County, Tennessee, Mr. Painter enlisted in the U.S. Army at the 
age of 29 to fight what was then called the ``War to End All Wars''.
  Mr. Painter saw action in France's Argonne Forest where he hauled 
ammunition and field guns to the front lines with teams of horses and 
mules. He was honorably discharged on April 12, 1919, and returned home 
to Jackson County where he resumed his career as a blacksmith. There he 
married his childhood sweetheart--the former Gillie Watson--and raised 
two daughters.
  Mr. Painter's courage during that brutal war earned him one of 
France's highest honors, the Order of the Legion of Honor. Only five 
other Tennesseans have received the distinguished award.
  As we celebrate Mr. Painter's birthday today, I congratulate him for 
the tremendous contributions he has made to the United States and to 
the never-ending fight for freedom.

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