[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MAJOR THOMAS HARDIN JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Major Thomas Hardin, Jr., a World War II veteran from Spring Hill, 
Florida in my Fifth Congressional District.
  Over the August recess, Mr. Speaker, I will have the honor of 
recognizing, Major Hardin for his heroism and bravery as a B-17 pilot, 
an American soldier flying--because there was no U.S. Air Force--with 
the British Royal Air Force on January 22, 1945.
  On that date, the-then Lieutenant Hardin and his crew lead their 
formation through extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire 
over Europe. During the mission, one of their plane's engines was 
knocked out and the propeller would not feather while oil and fuel were 
leaking from two other engines.
  Despite the terrible odds for survival, Lieutenant Hardin's first 
concern was for the safety of his crew. He issued an order for his crew 
to prepare to bail out, but reconsidered, not wanting to risk the 
crew's capture by hostile forces.
  Lieutenant Hardin succeeded in controlling his seriously damaged 
aircraft across the English Channel to the plane's home base, returning 
his crew safely to the ground. For his bravery, he was awarded the 
Distinguished Flying Cross by the Secretary of the Air Force.
  Lieutenant Hardin continued his service to this nation as an officer 
in the army, flying a total of 35 missions over Europe and engaged in 
combat during the Korean War. He retired as a major and this weekend, I 
will present Major Hardin's Distinguished Flying Cross to him, more 
than 50 years overdue.
  Though he earned this honor, be never received it from the Defense 
Department and I am honored to have the opportunity to present to him 
next month the Distinguished Flying Cross for his selfless devotion to 
duty and service to the United States.

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