[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2493-E2494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN SAMUEL C. FLYNN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2005

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true 
gentleman, wonderful husband and father, and extraordinary leader in 
our Armed Forces, CAPT Samuel C. Flynn, Jr. Sam passed away after a 
long illness on December 4, 2005, but his legacy and contributions will 
live on in the hearts and minds of many for generations to come, and we 
are forever grateful for his service to our country.
  Born and raised in Lake Waccamaw, N.C., Captain Flynn embodied the 
true spirit of a dedicated and determined leader. He graduated from 
Hallsboro High School as Valedictorian of the class of 1951, where he 
earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. In 1955, 
he graduated from Wake Forest College with a Bachelor of Science 
degree.
  After college, Captain Flynn entered the U.S. Navy and received his 
Navy Wings of Gold and designation as a Naval Aviator in June 1958. 
Throughout his 31 years of service, he proudly served as a fighter 
pilot and Landing Signal Officer, and assumed command of Fighter 
Squadron 31, Carrier Air Wing TWO, Fighter Wing ONE, and NAS 
Kingsville, Texas. With Fighter Squadron 31, Captain Flynn embarked on 
his third Southeast Asia tour, and on June 21, 1972, he and his Radar 
Intercept Officer downed a MIG-21 over North Vietnam, making the first 
MIG kill of the war for Fighting 31, SARATOGA, and Attack Carrier Air 
Wing 3. He flew over 250 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom and logged 
a total of 1,175 aircraft carrier arrested landings. Not only did 
Captain Flynn serve his city, state, and nation with distinction, 
dedication, and determination, he also understood the price of freedom 
and risked his life so others could rest peacefully each night.
  Captain Flynn is a highly decorated sailor, receiving the Silver 
Star, 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 3 Meritorious Service medals. 
He also received 22 Strike Flight Air Medals, 2 individual awards of 
the Air Medal, 3 Commendation Medals (with combat ``V''), and numerous 
other awards and ribbons.
  Captain Flynn loved his family and was predeceased by his first wife, 
Shirley Ownby Flynn, and is survived by his present wife, Melynda 
McIntyre Flynn; his son, Samuel C. Flynn, III of San Diego, CA; his 
daughter, Elizabeth Flynn Pforr, her husband Paul and their children 
Kyle and Alexandria Pforr, of Alexandria, VA; his brother, James 
``Jimmy'' L. Flynn, his wife Nancy, of Wilmington, NC; as well as his 
brother-in-law, David Ownby and his wife Jean, of Cumberland, VA.
  President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, ``If we make ourselves 
worthy of America's ideals, if we do not forget that our Nation was 
founded on the premise that all men are creatures of God's making, the 
world will come to know that it is free men who carry forward the true 
promise of human progress and dignity.'' Indeed, Sam Flynn's life was 
the embodiment of this. He was a man who was known by persons of all 
races, ages, and religions for both his kind deeds and his loving, 
unselfish heart.
  Mr. Speaker, dedicated service to others combined with dynamic 
leadership has been

[[Page E2494]]

the embodiment of Captain Flynn's life. May we all use his wisdom, 
selflessness, and integrity as a beacon of direction and a source of 
true enlightenment for many, many years to come. Indeed, may God bless 
to all of our memories the tremendous life and legacy of Captain Samuel 
C. Flynn, Jr.

                          ____________________