[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LATE MR. JAMES McDOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the late Mr. James McDowell.
  Mr. McDowell was a World War II B-17 pilot who flew 31 missions over 
Germany. On January 13, 1945, on his second mission over Mannheim, 
Germany, Mr. McDowell's aircraft was hit by enemy fire. The heavy flak 
hit the cockpit floor and sent a piece of schrapnel through his 
clothing into his right calf.
  The severely damaged plane was unable to return to the base, and was 
forced to land at Manston England Air Base. Mr. McDowell was taken by 
the medics to the hospital, treated and released with a cane. The B-17 
was so damaged that it never returned to action.
  Last year, Mr. McDowell and his family approached me about getting 
his long overdue Purple Heart. Unfortunately, before I was able to 
present the Purple Heart to him, Mr. McDowell passed away.
  Mr. Speaker, while it is unfortunate that Mr. McDowell is not alive 
to receive his Purple Heart, I know that his family will cherish the 
medal and his memory for the rest of their lives. Mr. McDowell's story 
is emblematic of many who served in World War II and surely places him 
as a member of the ``greatest generation.''

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