[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 102 (Monday, July 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF COLONEL BENNIE HOWARD MANN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2005

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished 
constituent of mine, Colonel Bennie Mann of Laguna Woods, California. 
Bennie Mann's recent passing follows an inspiring, 31-year career as 
one of the finest helicopter pilots in the United States Armed Forces.
  Bennie was born in Yuma, Arizona, on May 31, 1928, to Mr. and Mrs. 
Bennie H. Mann, Sr. After Colonel Mann graduated from Yuma Union High 
School in 1946, he attended Arizona State University at Tempe. He 
joined the Navy in 1950, traveling to Korea aboard the U.S.S. Essex. He 
was selected for the Aviation Cadet Program the following year, and was 
commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953.
  Following a second tour of duty in Korea and an assignment to 
instructor duty with the training command at Naval Air Station 
Pensacola, Florida, Bennie was transferred to the Marine Corps Air 
Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1960, he was ordered to the 
Second Marine Division, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, for duty with the 
Force Communications Company.
  Bennie, then a captain, received a military science degree from the 
University of Omaha. After attending the Junior Officers' Course at 
Quantico, Virginia, in 1962, Mann became a helicopter pilot based in 
Santa Ana, California. In December 1964, then-Major Mann departed for 
Vietnam, serving as operations officer and executive officer of Marine 
Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 before moving to Washington, DC, to 
serve in the policy analysis and career planning branches of the Marine 
Corps headquarters.
  Mann returned to Vietnam in December 1969, serving as commanding 
officer of HMM-161 and as executive officer of MAG-16. After a year in 
Vietnam, he returned to Santa Ana, where he remained until 1972. In due 
course, Mann's leadership was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of 
colonel. He then received an MBA degree from Pepperdine University and 
joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, serving as assistant chief of 
staff before assuming command of MAG-16 in 1977. In June 1978, Colonel 
Mann became chief of staff of the Third Marine Amphibious Force, 
Okinawa, Japan.
  Colonel Mann retired from the United States Marine Corps on December 
23, 1981. He was the first Marine helicopter pilot in our Nation's 
history to be awarded the Navy Cross. Colonel Mann was the deserving 
recipient of a host of other awards, including the Distinguished Flying 
Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and 37 Air 
Medals. Colonel Mann recently passed away, and was buried at Arlington 
National Cemetery on July 7. He is survived by his wife Carroll of 
Laguna Woods, California, his sons George and Russ, his daughter Connie 
Lee Coln, his nine grandchildren, and his six great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the California delegation and the people of 
Orange County, I am honored to salute Colonel Mann for his service to 
this great country and to extend my condolences to his friends and 
family.

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