[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JOSEPH F. ZABALDO, RECIPIENT OF THE GOLD LIFESAVING MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2003

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to honor Mr. 
Joseph Zabaldo, World War II hero and Oregon resident. While in 
service, Mr. Zabaldo was a radioman in a B-29 bomber over the Pacific 
Ocean, near Japan. On or about July 1, 1945, Mr. Zabaldo's plane went 
down, crash-landing in the ocean. As the crew assembled in a life raft 
near the sinking B-29, Mr. Zabaldo noticed a fellow soldier tangled in 
ripped cable and wiring inside the wrecked bomber. As the soldier, who 
could not swim, frantically tried to untangle himself, Mr. Zabaldo went 
to his rescue, at great risk to his own life. Freeing the frantic 
soldier from the sinking plane, Mr. Zabaldo swam him to safety.
  For his efforts, he was awarded the Coast Guard's prestigious Gold 
Lifesaving Medal. However, in the mix of World War II, Mr. Zabaldo 
never actually received the medal. His grandson, Jared, contacted my 
office and informed us of this situation. Now, 58 years later, it is my 
pleasure to be able to secure the actual medal for Oregon's hero. On 
Wednesday, July 23, 2003, Joseph F. Zabaldo will be awarded the Gold 
Lifesaving Medal for his heroic act in World War II.

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