[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 102 (Friday, July 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING MAJOR JAMES EWALD OF THE MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a Michigan National 
Guardsman who demonstrated exceptional bravery and prudent skill during 
the war in Iraq.
  Major James Ewald, a Michigan native and pilot in the Michigan Air 
National Guard 110th Fighter wing, acted decisively when his Close Air 
Support aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile while flying 
over Baghdad on April 8, 2003. He had been part of a mission to provide 
critical intelligence about Iraqi ambush when the enemy missile left 
his aircraft barely flyable.
  Instead of succumbing to what could have been deemed a hopeless 
situation, Major Ewald expertly flew the wounded aircraft for 12 more 
minutes and completed vital battle damage checklists, identified 
critical aircraft system operations, made tentative plans for aircraft 
recovery, and gathered information about threats affecting future Close 
Air Support operations. His fourteen years of military experience and 
natural abilities allowed him to parachute out of the faltering 
aircraft injury free. He then strategically hid amongst the thick Iraqi 
foliage from imminent capture until U.S. Army forces rescued him 
fifteen minutes later.
  I am extremely proud of Major Ewald for his service to our nation. He 
has shown courage and dedication to performing the job for which he has 
been well-trained by the Michigan Air National Guard. I am pleased 
today to offer him my most sincere commendation.

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