[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 88 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1264-E1265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING EMMETT LEDBETTER FOR EARNING THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING 
                                 CROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 16, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor an 
American patriot, Emmett Ledbetter of Jackson, Tennessee. Mr. Ledbetter 
recently received the Distinguished Flying Cross Award for his bravery 
and heroism while serving our nation as a top turret gunner and flight 
engineer during World War II.
  As a member of the 455th Bomb Group and the 743rd Bomb Squadron, Mr. 
Ledbetter flew the greater part of his 50 combat missions in the months 
leading up to the historic D-Day landing on the beaches of Normandy. 
Based out of an airfield near Cerignola, Italy, the 455th Bomb Group 
completed missions throughout Romania and Austria against the German 
occupiers.
  No stranger to military decorations, Mr. Ledbetter received the 
Presidential Unit Citation twice for missions in Austria as well as the 
EAME Theater Ribbon and the Air Medal honoring his military prowess 
throughout the War.
  On one such occasion, for which he has now earned the Distinguished 
Flying Cross, a bomb was found to be caught in the rear of the airplane 
on a return trip from a mission in Vienna. Facing a serious threat to 
the safety of the airplane, Mr. Ledbetter and another crewmember, in a 
moment of bravery, put on oxygen masks and entered the bomb bay, 
walking across a narrow catwalk at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Once 
inside, they forced the explosive off the rack, saving the airplane and 
its crew.
  Following this mission, Mr. Ledbetter was recommended to receive the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, but because of clerical procedures, his 
award was delayed. Now, almost 60 years after this heroic 
accomplishment, Mr. Ledbetter has received the recognition he deserves, 
having finally been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on February 
13, 2003.
  Mr. Speaker, at this difficult time in our nation's history, I know 
you and our colleagues join me in thinking about and praying for our 
troops. I hope you will also join me in honoring a man who fought for 
this country in a different war to guarantee the safeties and freedoms 
we all cherish so much. We salute Emmett Ledbetter for his honorable 
career serving our nation and congratulate him on the long-deserved 
Distinguished Flying Cross Award.

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