[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ROAD TO BE NAMED IN MEMORY OF LIEUTENANT HECTOR POLLA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to recognize the 
fine accomplishments of the late Lieutenant Hector Polla. Lt. Polla is 
a decorated hero of World War II whose wartime sacrifices must be 
remembered. The United States Army will name the new Defense Access 
Road at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, after Lieutenant Hector Polla.
  Hector John Polla was born in Lexington, Missouri, in 1916. He 
graduated from Higginsville High School and Wentworth Military Academy 
Junior College before heading to the United States Military Academy at 
West Point in 1937. Upon his graduation from West Point in 1941, Lt. 
Polla was deployed to the Philippines and stationed on the Bataan 
Peninsula. He was there when the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941. 
His courage and gallantry during the defense of Bataan resulted in his 
being awarded the Silver Star Medal. He survived the Bataan Death March 
and spent nearly three years in Japanese prisoner of war camps. 
Survivors of the war camps praise him for the leadership, fortitude, 
and skill he demonstrated during the hard years of captivity. Lt. Polla 
died tragically in January 1945 after the Japanese ship on which he and 
other prisoners were being transported was bombed by American forces.
  In addition to the Silver Star Medal, Polla's military medals and 
citations include the Purple Heart Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, the 
Prisoner of War Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one 
bronze service star, the American Defense Service Medal, the Combat 
Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Philippine Defense Ribbon.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a fitting tribute to a man who served 
his country with the utmost dedication and bravery. The Lieutenant 
Hector Polla Road will help us remember how he and so many other 
soldiers have given everything to defend our country in her time of 
need.

                          ____________________