[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 18 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1277-S1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF MILTON WESLEY SANDERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, Milton Wesley Sanders passed away on 
Tuesday, February 10, in Washington, DC. He was one of the rapidly 
vanishing members of what we rightfully call the ``greatest 
generation''.
  These valiant Americans who fought in World War II did not merely 
defeat a savage and evil enemy. They literally saved the free world. 
What would our own lives have been like if the forces of Nazism had 
prevailed in that war? It is truly unthinkable, and thanks to the 
greatest generation and men like Milton Sanders, we will never have to 
know the answer.
  This generation of Americans grew up during the Great Depression, so 
they already knew about sacrifice. And when their country called upon 
them to sacrifice even more, they did not hesitate.
  Milt Sanders' first heroic act occurred when he was still in flight 
school in Florida. During a training flight near Tallahassee, FL, his 
new P-47 aircraft malfunctioned because of a missing part.
  Rather than bail out over a populated area, he decided to take the 
airplane in for a ``safe'' crash landing. He could have landed safely 
on the campus of the Florida State College for Women now known as 
Florida State. But when he saw a lot of students walking across campus, 
he headed for a nearby field.
  In the instant before landing he had to divert the aircraft to avoid 
hitting a farmer. In the resulting crash, he suffered a skull fracture 
and numerous other injuries. But his quick thinking and courage had 
saved innocent lives.
  During the war, Milt flew 116 combat P-47 fighter-bomber missions 
with the 9th Air Force in the European theater of operations. He 
supported operations from the pre-Normandy invasion buildup through the 
race across France, the Battle of the Bulge, and the final victory over 
Nazi tyranny. He brought back seven aircraft so badly shot up that they 
were immediately sent to the scrap heap. He was credited with shooting 
down one German aircraft and destroying more than 25 aircraft on the 
ground. For his valor, Milt was awarded two Distinguished Flying 
Crosses, 20 Air Medals, two Presidential Unit citations, the French 
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, and the Belgian Fourragere.
  Milt, who was known to some of his squadron buddies as ``Sandy,'' 
experienced the heroism of war, and he also saw the horror.
  He saw one friend's aircraft crash into the ground. He saw another 
man bail out only to be knocked unconscious when he collided with his 
airplane. That man's parachute never opened.
  He saw dead bodies that were booby-trapped.
  He befriended an English family in London, only to find when he went 
to visit them that their home had been destroyed by a German V1 rocket.

[[Page S1278]]

  Milt and his comrades knew the dangers they faced. After flying a 
mission at night, he would later recall that ground fire is frightening 
during the day, ``but to see it at night at a low altitude, you think 
every shot coming up has your name on it.''
  Yet despite the dangers, he fought without fear.
  After World War II, Milt continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force 
Reserve, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel and retiring with 20 
years of honorable service in 1962.
  Even when his active duty service had ended, he continued to serve 
our country through his work with several firms providing weapons 
systems and equipment to the Department of Defense. This association 
continued until his civilian retirement in 1989 at the age of 72.
  The measure of a man's life is not solely in what he did, but in what 
he did for others. Throughout his life, Milton Sanders constantly 
sacrificed his time and talents in service to others in his church, his 
community, and his Nation. Every person who came into contact with him 
knew he was a friend they could always count on, no matter the hour, no 
matter the need.
  Perhaps Milt's greatest contribution to our Nation comes from the 
legacy of his 46 years of loving marriage to his wife Jean. They have 
eight children, including two graduates of our military service 
academies; 28 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
  I will always treasure the memories of my monthly home teaching 
visits to the Sanders home. His piano playing, story-telling and 
beautiful prayers will always be vividly present in my mind. Jean, I 
learned during these visits, has always been the foundation of their 
wonderful relationship.
  Like so many other members of his generation, Milton Sanders was a 
great yet humble patriot. Because of the sacrifices they made, our 
lives are immeasurably better than they otherwise might have been. Our 
Nation owes them more than words can ever convey.

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