[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF GERALD YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Iwo Jima brings to mind for most 
Americans the famous picture of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi and 
the impressive bronze statue that memorializes this historic event. The 
Marines fought one of the most brutal battles of American history on 
that porkchop-shaped eight-square-mile island--and brought honor to 
themselves and victory for our country.
  One of the heroes of that conflict was a young, skinny, red-headed 
teenager from Texas--Gerald Edwin Young, otherwise known as ``Red'' to 
his Marine buddies. He served with the 5th Marine Division, 5th 
Engineer Battalion, ``A'' Company, 1st platoon. Gerald landed on Iwo 
Jima on February 19, 1945, day one of the battle. He had just turned 19 
a few days before. Gerald had several duties--one of which was being a 
runner. Under constant fire, he would bring replacements to the battle 
front as needed, carrying out his mission time and again. He considers 
himself very fortunate to have survived the full 36 days of the 
battle--and did sustain a temporary loss of hearing after a grenade 
exploded near him. However, he refused the opportunity to be shipped 
off the island.
  At the time of the historic flag raising, he tells the story that the 
first flag flown was too small and could not be seen so well from a 
distance. As a part of the Company ``A'' team of runners, Gerald 
participated in relaying that message and the need for the larger flag, 
which is the flag we see in the photographs of that historic day.
  Today, Gerald loves to talk and tell stories, but he has little to 
say about his war experiences, which are still painful to talk about. 
He does make it clear, however, that he is proud to have served his 
country as an enlisted Marine--and even at 75 years of age says he 
would do it again if needed. His grandson, David Riddle, is a 
Congressional Intern in my office and a student at Texas A&M 
University. He shares this story about his grandfather with much pride 
and admiration, and it is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to 
share this with my colleagues. So as we adjourn today, let us do so by 
paying tribute to this outstanding American and World War II Veteran--
Gerald Edwin Young.

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