[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PAYING TRIBUTE TO WALTER WAYNE THOMPSON, JR.

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 29, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Walter Wayne Thompson Jr. and thank him for his service to 
this country. Walter began his service as a sailor in 1941, joining the 
Navy at the age of eighteen. By the end of his service, Walter had 
served on two ships involved in several famous and infamous battles in 
the Pacific theater.
  Walter served on the U.S.S. Hornet as a stenographer to the ship's 
Captain. While serving on the ship, Wayne was present for the launching 
of the famous Doolittle Raid, America's first strike at the Japanese 
after Pearl Harbor. Following the raid, the Hornet engaged in the 
Battle of Midway, a battle considered a turning point in the war that 
stopped the Japanese fleet from controlling Hawaii.
  Following Midway, the Japanese focused on the island of Guadalcanal. 
Here the Hornet's crew found itself tasked with the role of defending 
the island alone after Allied naval forces sustained heavy losses. 
After Guadalcanal, the crew fought in the Battle of Santa Cruz in an 
attempt to weaken Japanese defensive forces for an invasion of the 
island.
  The Battle of Santa Cruz was to be the final engagement for the 
Hornet. The carrier was attacked and sunk by enemy forces and her crew 
rescued by the U.S.S. Anderson. After living through the travesty, 
Wayne finished his service aboard the U.S.S. Lexington, where he served 
until the end of the war. Following his discharge, he returned to his 
native state of Missouri and became a Baptist Minister. He served the 
ministry for over forty years before retiring in Montrose, Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to recognize Walter Wayne 
Thompson Jr. and thank him for his service during World War II. If not 
for dedicated citizens like Wayne, we would not enjoy the many freedoms 
we have today. Wayne Thompson served selflessly in a time of great 
need, bringing credit to himself and to this great nation. -

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