[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING THOMAS HOBBS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 15, 2003

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Thomas 
Hobbs, on his receipt of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. This long 
delayed award recognizes the incredible heroism and dedication to 
service displayed by Thomas Hobbs when he served his country in South 
Vietnam more than 30 years ago.
  In 1970 Thomas Hobbs was serving as a Specialist 4 with Recon Team 1, 
Company E, 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. 
Specialist Hobbs was participating in a multi-team ambush of communist 
forces in the Suoi Ca Valley when Recon Teams I and 2 of Company E 
engaged a much larger enemy force. Team 2 was pinned down by enemy 
fire, with several of its own members wounded. Specialist Hobbs, 
without thought of his own safety, left the perimeter of Team I to 
bring aid and additional firepower to Team 2. With his help, Team 2 was 
able to survive the communist attack. Without his bravery, Team 2 would 
have been overrun, and the long list of Americans sacrificed in the 
defense of freedom would have been even longer.
  I learned of this act of heroism when I received a letter from Ken 
Burbank, one of the men in Team 2 whom Thomas Hobbs helped save. For 
more than 30 years, he had remembered the brave soldier who had come to 
the aid of his unit that dark and dangerous night, and continued to 
look for Thomas Hobbs so he could thank him for saving his life. I was 
pleased to recommend to the Army that they honor Thomas Hobbs for his 
bravery, and I look forward to being able to present him with his 
award. All Americans should keep the courage and self-sacrifice of 
Thomas Hobbs, and the men and women who follow in his footsteps today, 
in mind when enjoying the freedoms he fought so bravely for.

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