[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 88 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE PATRIOTISM AND HEROISM OF MEL RING

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                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
patriotism and heroism of Mr. Mel Ring.
  Mr. Ring served with distinction in the Army Air Corps during the 
harrowing days of the Second World War. As a B-17 crew member in the 
815th Squadron of the 483 Bombardment Group, Mr. Ring and his fellow 
crew members played an integral role in the Allied defeat of Nazi 
Germany.
  The crew of the Good Deal formed in November 1943 with Mr. Melbourne 
Ring of Crook, CO, as one of the 13-member crew, which included Paul E. 
Ray, Warren O. Griffin, Carl B. Hardy, Gerald Kramer, Foster F. Knight, 
James I. Korshak, Walter J. Gladieux, August O. Bresciz, Theodore 
Engelun, Fred A. Clark, Jr., Robert J. Dalzin, and John M. Spear.
  On April 12, 1944 Mr. Ring and the crew of the Good Deal participated 
in their first mission to Split, Yugoslavia. In the following months, 
the crew of the Good Deal saw action over Toulon, Milan, Weiner 
Neustadt, Vienna, Budapest, Blechhammer, Ploesti, and Memmingen.
  Despite the fact that 14 of 26 American B-17s were lost over the 
German town of Memmingen on July 18, 1944, Mr. Ring and his crewmates 
successfully downed seven German fighters.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Mr. Ring's distinguished service and 
humbled by his courageous patriotism. The sacrifices he and the men of 
the Good Deal made to ensure the liberty and freedom of future 
generations will never be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Mr. Melbourne D. Ring and the crew of the Good Deal.




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