[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AFTER 57 YEARS, BOB BRAEGER TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, June 23, 2002, my friend, Robert 
Braeger, will finally be presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross 
that he was awarded, but never received, over 57 years ago.
  As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he and a group 
of friends were shocked when the December 7, 1941 Green Bay Packers and 
Chicago Bears game was interrupted with news of the attack on Pearl 
Harbor. Bob knew at that moment that he wanted to serve and defend his 
country.
  Enlisting in the Army Air Corps, Braeger was commissioned as a 2nd 
Lieutenant and assigned to the 34th Bombardment Group in continental 
Europe as a navigator on the B-24 Liberator Bomber, ``Bambi.''
  Bambi's crew of ten guided her through thirty bombing missions over 
enemy-occupied territory. On his thirtieth mission, Bambi's crew 
crashed into a French field after the plane lost an engine. After 
returning to Paris with the help of French citizens, and due to their 
courageous and dedicated service in the European Theater, Bambi's crew 
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. When he was discharged, Bob 
returned with a treasure chest of awards, but the DFC was not included.
  When Bob is not with his wife Deanna or his seven children, he has 
remained active in recognizing the achievements and actions of area 
veterans since his days in the Army Air Corps. A co-chair of the 
Wisconsin Veterans War Memorial/Milwaukee, he led the fundraising 
campaign to refurbish the memorial for veterans and their families.
  The 7,875 homeless veterans in Wisconsin have also found a friend in 
Bob Braeger. He has been involved with the National Coalition of 
Homeless Veterans, an organization that works to end homelessness among 
veterans by shaping public policy, educating the public, and building 
the capacity of service providers.
  During his service, Braeger developed a deep sense of appreciation 
for the contributions of minority soldiers. He now volunteers his time 
to recognize these distinguished men and women by working with the 
National Association of Black Veterans.
  Over half of a century later, it is a pleasure to see this patriotic 
citizen receive the long overdue, and thoroughly deserved, 
Distinguished Flying Cross. Congratulations, Bob Braeger!

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