[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 146 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF STAFF SERGEANT GEORGE K. GANNAM FOR BEING AWARDED A 
              PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II

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                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2000

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a great American hero, 
from my district Savannah, GA, George K. Gannam, for being awarded a 
purple heart for his service in World War II. We should all stand up 
and applaud Mr. Gannam for his dedication and service to our country. 
He was a brave and heroic man and deserves to be recognized as such.
  Mr. Gannam was killed in the Japanese attack on Hickam Field on 
December 7, 1941. He was the first person from Chatham County to die in 
World War II. An eye witness reports that Mr. Gannam received mortal 
wounds while assisting other airmen to remove airplanes from a burning 
hangar during the height of the attack. Medical records indicate that 
Mr. Gannam died of multiple shrapnel and machine gun bullet wounds. As 
a result of his heroic actions he was awarded a purple heart.
  The American Legion Post #184 in Thunderbolt, GA was named after him. 
This is a great recognition and will help keep his name alive for years 
to come.
  Mr. Gannam's presence and dedication to our country helped insure the 
freedom we enjoy today. His unselfish acts made a difference to the 
families of each person he helped. America's military has always served 
with pride meeting the challenges necessary to maintain our national 
security, to protect American interests at home and abroad, and to 
guarantee our freedoms and way of life, and Americans owe them a great 
deal.
  Please join me again in applauding Mr. Gannam. The dedication of this 
brave man helped shape our history. Without him our country's history 
would be different. Our society needs more people like him who 
unselfishly dedicate and give their lives as they fight for freedom for 
our country. This man was a very brave person and deserves to be 
recognized as an American Hero. I am pleased to submit a tribute of his 
life in the Congressional Record.

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