[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SEAMAN 1ST CLASS JOSEPH McKENNA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, our veterans have made America the strongest 
nation on earth. Their stories serve as a reminder of the costs that 
our nation has endured to ensure peace and freedom. I believe that it 
is vitally important to acknowledge the commitment and achievement of 
every veteran who put his or her life on the line to protect this 
nation.
  I want to take this opportunity to share the story and bravery of 
Seaman 1st Class, Joseph McKenna Jr., of Melville, New York, a veteran 
of World War II.
  In the spring of 1943, Joseph McKenna was serving as a United States 
Navy armed guard on the tanker, MS Panam. The Panam was making a trip 
from Norfolk to Lake Charles, Louisiana when it developed engine 
trouble. After becoming separated from the rest of the convoy, a German 
U-Boat attacked. The first torpedo ripped through the engine room, 
killing two crew members. The engines were destroyed and water started 
to rush in.
  At the time of the attack Joseph McKenna was on the bridge. His 
commander, Arley Zinn, met him there and told him to return to the gun 
deck. At this point, McKenna realized that his buddy, Seaman 1st Class 
Earl Mayle, was missing and he went to find him. The door to their 
quarters was shut; it wouldn't budge. McKenna kicked in the bottom 
panel of the door and, on his hands and knees, made his way through the 
opening to Mayle, who was wedged under a bunk. Amazingly, McKenna, a 
man of only one hundred and thirty two pounds, was able to drag Mayle 
to what he thought was the safety of the gun deck.
  Upon reaching the deck, McKenna was injured when another torpedo 
stuck the Panam. Thankfully, McKenna made it to a lifeboat with Mayle. 
After floating in the open ocean for six hours, the Coast Guard cutter 
USS SC664 finally picked them up.
  McKenna lost touch with Mayle for fifty-six years. In 1999, he 
tracked down Mayle's wife Shirley. She told him that Mayle passed away 
in 1993. She said that all Earl would speak about was McKenna saving 
his life. ``Thank God for Joe McKenna,'' Earl would say. ``If it wasn't 
for him I wouldn't be here.''
  Mr. Speaker, I stand before you to recognize Seaman 1st Class, Joseph 
McKenna Jr. In honor of him and his act of bravery, I have flown a flag 
over the United States Capitol.




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