[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING WILLIAM RAIMER FOR HIS MILITARY SERVICE

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 05, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many 
of our citizens dedicated their efforts to the success of our military 
forces. William Horace Raimer is the embodiment of service, success, 
and sacrifice and clearly deserves recognition from this body.
  Bill Raimer was stationed on the USS Flying Fish--an SS-229 Gato 
Class submarine that was 311 feet long and carried a crew of 67 men led 
by nine officers--as a radioman. On the morning of May 29, 1945, the 
USS Flying Fish submerged and left Guam to an undisclosed location that 
was later revealed to be the Sea of Japan. The Flying Fish was 
traveling in a wolf pack called Hydeman's Hellcats, which were three 
groups of three submarines. The crew was charged with the duty, under 
the orders of Commander Robert D. Risser, of spending two weeks in the 
Sea destroying the remains of the Japanese fleet and any supply ships 
heading for Japan. Their path was laced with mines at various depths 
and different locations. As the submarine floated by mines, crewmembers 
could hear the anchor cables of the mines brush against the outside 
walls. Under attack by depth charges, the USS Flying Fish felt the 
shakes from the explosions, but was not destroyed. However, a companion 
ship--the USS Bonefish--was not so lucky and 85 men were lost at sea.
  The USS Flying Fish was an integral part of the efforts to ensure the 
Japanese fleet did not succeed in World War II. Out of the nearly 300 
submarines in that area at the time, 52 were sunk--a statistic that 
Bill Raimer remembers all too well. After the war, he moved to 
Montrose, Colorado with his brother 56 years ago. Although he was 
awarded numerous ribbons and medals, he is most proud of his 
Submariners Medal that was presented to him by Admiral Chester W. 
Nimitz.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to commend William Raimer on 
his service to this great Nation. His spirit of patriotism added to the 
success of the Allied Forces and ensured their victory in the Pacific 
Ocean. While 3,308 submarines never returned home from the war, William 
Raimer was a survivor and is able to share his story with others. I 
thank Bill for his dedication and extend my best wishes to him and his 
family in the time to come.

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