[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BENJAMIN CARSON

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today it is my privilege to honor an 
Oregon Veteran Hero. On December 12, 1941, 18-year-old Benjamin Carson 
left his family dairy farm in rural Minnesota to join the United States 
Marine Corps. He would join a long family legacy of military service. 
Carson's grandfather's grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, his 
great grandfather served in the Civil War, his dad fought in World War 
I, and he would soon fight in World War II. Though all were wounded in 
battle, none of them died as a result of their service.
  After arriving in San Diego at the U.S. Marine recruit depot, Carson 
began a strict training regimen. A month later, he graduated from 
recruit school and volunteered to go to war immediately. Carson was 
interviewed by James Roosevelt's son who asked him four questions--what 
he did for a living, whether he could swim, whether he could march 30 
miles a day on a cup of rice, and how often did he go to Sunday School. 
Carson must have given the correct answers because 4 days later he was 
selected for duty.
  Carson left that day with members of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion 
commanded by Colonel Carlson, known today as ``Carlson's Raiders.'' 
Carson was selected for a special unit because of his strong swimming 
skills. On August 8, 1942, Carson joined more than 200 men on 
submarines headed for the Makin Islands. Their objective was to destroy 
enemy installations, gather information, and divert Japanese attention 
from the Solomons.
  Fighting broke out nearly immediately as Carlson's men landed ashore 
on August 17, 1942. About 30 men were lost and another 16 wounded. 
Under fierce opposition, Colonel Carlson made a decision to withdraw 
back to the original landing site and launched his boats for a return 
to sea. However, since morning the surf had kicked up considerably, and 
with their outboard motors repeatedly swamped, relatively few of the 
boats could make it out through the breakers. Many capsized, and most 
of the marines were cast back onto the beach. Carson was one of the few 
that survived.
  In November of 1942, Carson was sent to Guadacanal. He was overseas 
fighting in various battles until January of 1944, when he was sent 
home for a 30-day furlough at which time he met his future wife. He 
married Helen on May 5, 1944, and two days later shipped out to battle 
again.
  On February 19, 1945, Carson was a squad leader in the 5th wave to 
hit Red Beach in Guadacanal. The fighting was intense and men were 
dropping quickly. With only nine of his men left, Carson was shot in 
the arm. He spent 5 weeks in a hospital base on Pearl Harbor and 
received the Purple Heart for his injuries. He was discharged on 
January 6, 1946 after the war had ended.
  Carson went to college on the GI Bill and received a degree in 
Forestry from Iowa State College. He went on to work for the Forest 
Service and maintained an active lifestyle with his wife and two sons. 
Eventually the couple moved to Oregon, where they have lived since 
1978.
  Carson says his military experience has very much shaped his life. 
His sense of duty to his country and the people who have died in the 
name of freedom has never left him. Nearly 60 years after the famous 
battle on Makin Island, Carson participated in a campaign to recover 
the dead. In 2001, authorities located 19 bodies on Makin Island, all 
American servicemen. Carson says it was extremely gratifying to be able 
to offer some closure for the families of the deceased.
  Though he has an artificial shoulder from the injuries he suffered 
while shot in battle, Carson still travels and works on his farm. He 
and his wife volunteer with the Mercy Corps and recently traveled to 
Uzbekistan, where they helped teach Uzbeks about agriculture.
  For his selfless service to others, and to the United States in times 
of war, I salute Benjamin Carson as an Oregon Veteran Hero.

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