[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLONEL DERRELL B. JEFFORDS, USAF

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great 
American patriot, Colonel Derrell B. Jeffords, USAF. As a young man, 
Colonel Jeffords knew that he wanted to serve his country in the 
military, dreaming of becoming an Air Force pilot. He began to realize 
his goals in June of 1944, when he graduated from the United States 
Army Air Force Cadet Flying School. Over the next 22 years of dedicated 
service, he distinguished himself not only as a skilled pilot, but also 
as an outstanding leader. After tours at 12 different bases in 20 years 
he answered his nation's call once more. In October of 1965, Colonel 
Jeffords reported to Vietnam for what would turn out to be his final 
deployment. On Christmas Eve 1965, just as President Johnson announced 
a week long bombing halt in North Vietnam, Colonel Jeffords' family 
received the painful telegram declaring him Missing in Action. His 
family learned that while on an armed reconnaissance mission, just 
south of Ban Bac, Laos, Colonel Jeffords' C-47 ``Spooky'' had been shot 
down.
  Deryl Jeffords was only 13 years old when her father was shot down. 
She was forced to remember him through the letters that he wrote from 
Vietnam. Those letters never reflected any sign of fear, resentment or 
anger at being in Vietnam. To Colonel Jeffords, it was not a duty to 
serve in Vietnam, it was an honor. I was recently contacted by Ms. 
Jeffords, who told me about her father's life. Moved by the heroic 
story of Colonel Jeffords, I felt it necessary to rise on the floor of 
the United States Senate, to give her father the respect, honor, 
dedication and recognition that he so richly deserves from our country. 
Colonel Jeffords is an American hero, who fought for all citizens, so 
that we could keep the freedom that we enjoy today.
  Colonel Jeffords will always be in the heart and soul of his family 
that he left behind. None of us should ever forget Colonel Derrell B. 
Jeffords, for he represents the very heart of what our country stands 
for. God Bless him.

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