[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ELDRED CLIFFORD SCHROEDER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GARY MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the 
heroic deeds of Eldred Clifford Schroeder, a distinguished World War II 
veteran.
  In February of 1943, at the height of World War II, 24-year-old 
Eldred Clifford Schroeder was drafted into the United States Army, 
where he was assigned to the 786th Bombardment Squadron in the European 
theater of operations. He climbed the ranks to become a Technical 
Sergeant and served as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator.
  After flying 22 successful combat missions, Schroeder and his crew 
were shot down over France. Fortunately, the French underground rescued 
him and returned him to England where his leg was treated for shrapnel 
wounds. He resumed flying, but on his 26th combat mission, he was again 
shot down over France. This time, German troops found Schroeder, and he 
was taken as a prisoner of war. He was imprisoned at Stalag Luft One, 
in Barth, Germany, until the camp was liberated nine months later by 
the Russian Army in May of 1945.
  Mr. Schroeder, a distinguished veteran, died in 1968 without 
receiving the numerous medals and honors he earned. His World War II 
experience reads like a Hollywood movie, but the bravery he 
demonstrated in the face of danger was real. Today, I am honored to 
celebrate the contributions he made to help win the war in Europe, and 
privileged to present these tokens of a grateful nation to the family 
of a true American hero.

[[Page E401]]

  On behalf of the United States Army, I proudly present the Schroeder 
family an Air Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, a Purple Heart, a POW 
Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a European, African, Middle-Eastern 
Campaign Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin, WWII.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that this 107th Congress join me in posthumously 
recognizing a member of our Greatest Generation, Eldred Clifford 
Schroeder.

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