[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE CROSBY-PULLER COMBAT WOUNDS COMPENSATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am joined by 14 of my colleagues in 
introducing the ``Crosby-Puller Combat Wounds Compensation Act,'' a 
bill to remedy the lapse in support that a wounded soldier experiences 
from the moment he/she is evacuated from the combat zone for medical 
treatment. Although some of that support can eventually be restored if 
a soldier is discharged and applies under certain VA programs, this 
bill deals with the immediate burden placed on soldiers like James 
Crosby, a Marine who was seriously wounded while fighting for his 
country in Iraq. The bill has been named after James Crosby and, at his 
request, Lt. General Lewis ``Chesty'' Puller, USMC, the most decorated 
Marine in the history of the Corps.
  Lance Corporal James Crosby of Winthrop, Massachusetts enlisted in 
the United States Marine Corps when he was 17 years old. He is married 
to Angela and was living in California before his service and his 
injury.
  On March 18, 2004, James was wounded by enemy fire while riding on 
the back of a U.S. military vehicle in Iraq. A rocket fired at the 
vehicle killed the driver and injured two Marines including James. A 
piece of shrapnel pierced James' side and penetrated his intestines and 
spine.
  James was taken immediately to a hospital in Kuwait. He had his first 
operation there, was stabilized and finally flown to a U.S. military 
hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. In Germany, James underwent several 
surgeries to remove shrapnel and repair wounds. James's wife, Angela, 
was flown to Germany to be with him during these difficult times. James 
was flown to Bethesda military hospital in Maryland in late March. 
Congressman Markey visited James in April at which time he received the 
Purple Heart. James eventually returned to Massachusetts and continued 
to receive care at the West Roxbury Veterans Hospital in Boston. He has 
lost over 50 pounds since his injury and requires a colostomy bag at 
all times. He has undergone 14 surgeries thus far, but remains 
paralyzed from the waist down.
  The Boston Red Sox honored James on June 25, 2004 as he threw out the 
first pitch before a Red Sox-Phillies game at Fenway Park.
  James's pay was immediately cut when he was transported out of the 
combat zone in Iraq. While serving the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, James 
received his base pay as well as Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE), 
Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), Hardship Duty pay (HDP), Per Diem and Flight 
Pay. He also lost his Family Separation Allowance (FSA) once he 
returned to the United States for medical care. The tax exclusion and 
pays amounted to more than $1,000 per month. James is now still a 
member of the Marine Corps and has not yet been discharged. He is not 
entitled to Veterans benefits until he is officially discharged. James 
was being paid about $2,500 a month while serving in Iraq, but now is 
only receiving $1,300 a month.
  He has relied on family and friends to help him pay for a handicapped 
accessible apartment as well as daily expenses, because his current 
military pay of $1,300 a month does not cover all of his expenses. 
James has also been helped by the Shutt Detachment, an association of 
former Marines, which held a fundraiser for him on August 19 at the 
Rack in Boston. Without the help of family, friends, and former 
Marines, James and his young wife would not be able to afford an 
apartment in the Greater Boston Area and cover expenses.
  James eagerly wants to work to help other members of our nation's 
armed services that are in a similar situation. He and his family have 
worked with my office to address in this legislation the problems that 
they have experienced, first hand, in coping with wounds incurred in 
James's service to his country. I urge my colleagues to join us in 
ensuring that members of the Armed Forces that are wounded while 
serving in a combat zone will continue to receive certain special pays, 
tax exclusions and allowances associated with such service until the 
member recovers from the wound or injury.

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