[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT ROGER WILLIAM POWELL OF ZEPHYRHILLS, 
                                FLORIDA

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2007

  Ms. BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Roger William Powell, a native of Montrose, MI who volunteered for the 
U.S. Army on January 22, 1969. Assigned as a mechanic, Mr. Powell was 
sent to Vietnam on June 22, 1969, with an armor recon specialty where 
he became a part time scout driver and machine gun operator. Assigned 
to E Troop, 1st Calvary Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, his base camp 
was Chu Lie.
  On August 8, 1969, his troop was in the field in Quang Ngai when they 
came under hostile fire from Viet Cong forces. Rocket propelled 
grenades landed amongst the troops, with Mr. Powell sustaining shrapnel 
wounds in his right eye, both hands and arms and a perforated eardrum. 
transferred by Medivac helicopter to an evacuation hospital in Japan, 
he remained under medical care for three months. A purple heart was 
noted on his record but not awarded, as Mr. Powell was not at that 
facility a sufficient time for the paperwork to be processed.
  Following his recovery from his injuries, he was reassigned stateside 
to Ft. Knox, KY. Mr. Powell then volunteered for duty in Germany where 
he remained until his discharge on January 14, 1971.
  Currently residing in Zephyrhills, Florida, Mr. Powell and his wife, 
Tansy, have three grown children; 32-year-old Scott, 30-year-old 
Shalynee and 26-year-old Shelby, all of whom reside in Michigan.
  After almost 38 years, it is my distinct honor and privilege to 
present Mr. Powell with his long-awaited Purple Heart.
  Madam Speaker, soldiers like Roger William Powell should be 
recognized for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and 
sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. Powell with his long 
overdue Purple Heart. He should know that we truly consider him one of 
America's heroes.

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