[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL HAROLD KING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Brigadier General 
Harold King of the U.S. Air Force, Retired. His death on October 7, 
2004, ended a remarkable and distinguished career of service to the 
Nation.
  Benjamin Harold King was born in Oklahoma in 1919. He began his 
successful military career in February 1942 when he enlisted in the 
Army Air Force as a flying cadet. He was commissioned a second 
lieutenant in November and was flying with a fighter squadron in the 
Philippines a few months later. He served proudly and well during World 
War II, flying 122 combat missions in the Asiatic-Pacific and European-
Middle Eastern theaters. He went on to log 226 combat missions in Korea 
and over 100 combat missions in Vietnam.
  Brigadier General King's decorations include the Purple Heart, the 
Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, three 
oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with 24 oak leaf clusters, and the 
French Croix de Guerre.
  Brigadier General King will be remembered, as well, for his legacy of 
leadership as a commander and operations officer. He succeeded at every 
assignment and is revered as the father of the modern USAF Air 
Commandos and Special Operations.
  Brigadier General King flew combat in three wars and served in the 
military for over 30 years before retiring in 1971. He resided in 
Florence, Oregon, in my congressional district, at the time of his 
death.
  A flight of four F-15s flew directly over his memorial service, a few 
hundred feet above the local airport where his family, friends, and 
community members watched the perfect ``Missing Man'' formation. It was 
a fitting tribute to Brigadier General Benjamin H. King, Flying Ace.

                          ____________________