[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO CARROLL ``BUD'' FAIRCLO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding Oregonian and authentic American hero, Carroll ``Bud'' 
Fairclo. A native of Dairy, Oregon in the 2nd Congressional District, 
Bud was a devoted family man, a well-loved member of his community, a 
fierce warrior, and most of all, an unwavering patriot.
  Mr. Speaker, Bud Fairclo served during World War II as a member of 
Company L of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division of the 
Fifth and Seventh Armies. As an infantryman with the 3rd Division, 
which fought in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy under 
Generals George S. Patton and Mark W. Clark, Bud saw some of the 
heaviest fighting of the war during a period when Germany's defeat was 
by no means certain. Bud participated in countless engagements, and 
though he performed with distinction in combat many times, his heroism 
on one occasion was particularly conspicuous.
  On November 9th, 1943, near Mignano, Italy, Bud silenced three German 
pillboxes with a volley of grenades and rifle fire, saving many of his 
countrymen from the murderous fire of the enemy. He then single-
handedly halted a German counterattack and was under constant enemy 
fire for nearly 18 hours until relief arrived. While he was severely 
wounded during this action, Bud refused evacuation to treat his 
injuries. Later he volunteered for observation post duty to direct 
mortar fire that silenced two remaining pillboxes that had fired on his 
unit throughout the night.
  On April 11th, 1944 General Mark W. Clark presented Bud Fairclo with 
the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in 
action, a decoration second only to the Medal of Honor. Bud's uncommon 
valor earned him not only the distinction of being one of Oregon's most 
highly decorated veterans, but the enduring gratitude of the nation he 
fought so heroically to defend.
  Like so many unassuming heroes of his generation, Bud Fairclo loved 
his country deeply, served it courageously in our Nation's darkest 
hour, and then quietly returned to civilian life, expecting neither 
recognition nor reward for his valiant service. Bud went on to father 
five children and run a horse-ranch in the Klamath Basin for more than 
half a century. While I never had the opportunity to meet Bud before 
his passing in 1997, like every child of the post-war world I have 
lived and breathed the freedom that he and his comrades bequeathed to 
us.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 4th, I will have the distinct honor of 
presenting a framed set of Bud's military decorations to the Fairclo 
family as part of a ceremony dedicating the Mid-Columbia Veterans 
Memorial in The Dalles, Oregon. I will make this presentation with a 
profound and lasting reverence for the sacrifices he and his fellow 
veterans made on behalf of the generations that would follow them.
  Today as our Nation faces a new war and young men and women across 
this great land answer their country's call to service, it is the 
heroism and selflessness of men like Bud Fairclo that will inspire them 
to great and noble feats. As we observe the birth of our Nation and 
commemorate the contributions Bud and others have made in defending it, 
we do so in humble recognition of the debt we owe to them--a debt that 
no riches or tributes could ever hope to repay.

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