[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 39 (Thursday, March 25, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S3178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OREGON VETERAN HERO

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I rise to honor an Oregon 
veteran who went above and beyond the call of duty in service to his 
country. On February 19, 1941, 16-year-old Mike Ryan left high school 
and voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army to serve in World 
War II.
  Private Ryan underwent basic training at Fort Mills on Corregidor in 
Manila Bay. Japanese bombing attacks on the island intensified and 
ultimately led to the fall of Corregidor. U.S. forces surrendered on 
May 6, 1942. Pvt. Mike Ryan and other troops in the southern part of 
the Philippines became Japanese prisoners of war.
  Ryan and hundreds of other prisoners were taken to Manila, were 
paraded through the streets and taken to prison, and transported to a 
prison camp in Cabanatuan, Philippines.
  For the next 3 years, Mike Ryan suffered immensely, enduring hunger, 
fatigue, and sickness in a Japanese forced labor camp. The conditions 
were dismal; food and clothing were scarce and the heat was intense. 
After spending time in a holding area, which was nothing more than a 
cow pasture with no sanitary facilities, Ryan was sent out on work 
details and later transferred to prison.
  Thirty-seven percent of the prisoners did not survive. Mike says he 
never gave up hope, saying he always knew he would come back someday. 
On September 13, 1945, Ryan and his fellow prisoners were released from 
captivity. Mike Ryan had spent a total of 3 years, 4 months, and 6 days 
as a prisoner of war.
  After spending a short time in a military hospital in Denver, CO, 
Ryan was honorably discharged from the service on June 20, 1946.
  On March 30, 1948, he married and moved to Oregon. Mike worked at a 
plywood mill in Lebanon for more than 40 years until it shut down in 
1985. Ryan served as the department commander of American Ex-prisoners 
of War. Now retired, Ryan enjoys spending his time with his wife of 56 
years and his family. He has two sons, four grandchildren, and four 
great-grandchildren.
  Mike Ryan made many sacrifices by entering the military at such a 
young age. He never had the opportunity to finish high school and 
receive his diploma. Last session, the Oregon Legislative Assembly 
passed S. 374 allowing World War II veterans who left school to serve 
in the war to receive their high school diploma. Ryan is hoping he will 
graduate this year with the Lebanon, OR class of 2004.
  Now 79 years old, Ryan looks back on his life and gratitude, thankful 
for the opportunity to serve his country.
  For his selfless service to others, and to the United States in time 
of war, I salute Mike Ryan as an Oregon veteran hero.

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