[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4745-S4746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL DARRELL S. CRAMER

  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I wish to pay special tribute to an 
extraordinary man, a loving husband, father

[[Page S4746]]

and grandfather; a valiant soldier; and a true patriot in every sense 
of the word--BG Darrell S. Cramer.
  Darrell recently passed away, leaving a tremendous void in the lives 
of all who knew him. Yet his legacy of service, courage, and dedication 
will serve as an example for many generations to come.
  Darrell was born in Ogden, UT, to Olvie and Loretta Stuart Cramer and 
was the oldest in a family of five. He enjoyed his childhood immensely 
and excelled in athletics and academics. As a young child he developed 
a strong interest in aviation which would guide his future life. His 
dream of flying became a reality shortly after enrolling in a civilian 
pilot training course at Weber College.
  On December 7, 1941, Darrell was listening to the radio at home when 
he heard the news bulletin that stunned the Nation--Pearl Harbor had 
been attacked, and the United States was now joining the war. The very 
next day, he drove to Salt Lake City and visited the recruiting offices 
of both the Army and the Navy to try to enlist in the Aviation Cadet 
programs. At that time a recruit was to be at least 20 years old and 
have 2 years of college, so he was turned away.
  Just over a month later the rules were changed, and Darrell, eager to 
serve his country, immediately enlisted in the Army. He quickly became 
an excellent fighter pilot candidate and excelled in the training. Thus 
began a storied and exemplary military career.
  The highlights of his military service included many tours of duty 
beginning in November 1942, when Darrell was sent to the South Pacific 
area as a P-38 pilot assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron of the 13th 
Air Force. The young airman flew in the campaigns of Guadalcanal, New 
Guinea, and North Solomons and completed his tour of duty with credit 
for the destruction of a Japanese Zero fighter and Betty bomber 
aircraft.
  In December 1943, he returned to the United States and was assigned 
to a P-47 combat training school in Abilene, TX. In June 1944, General 
Cramer was assigned to the European Theater of Operations and flew a P-
51 aircraft with the 55th Fighter Group. He finished this tour of duty 
as a squadron commander with a total of 300 flying hours in 60 missions 
and credited for the destruction of 11 German aircraft. As such, he 
joined an exclusive fraternity of fighter ace.
  At the end of World War II, Darrell returned home, and shortly after, 
he left active duty to go into business with his father forming the 
Cramer and Son Coal Company. He went on to pursue additional business 
opportunities but couldn't put his love of flying behind him and once 
again joined the Utah Air National Guard. When the Berlin Airlift began 
in 1948, he was again called to active duty for Operation Vittles.
  When that operation ended, Darrell once again returned to the United 
States and began service as director of flying in the Advanced Flying 
School at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. This was followed 2 years 
later with his return to Europe to assume command of the 53rd Fighter 
Squadron and later the 36th Fighter Bomber Wing in Germany.
  This service was followed by assignments in Washington, DC, 
California, Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam. In February 1971, General 
Cramer became the vice commander of the 17th Air Force, Ramstein Air 
Base in Germany. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1970 and 
retired from military service in June 1973.
  During his many years of military service, Darrell was recognized and 
awarded many times for his courage and exemplary service to our Nation. 
His military awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service 
Medal, Legion of Merit with an oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying 
Cross with an oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 21 oak leaf clusters, 
Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, 
Presidential Unit Citation emblem with two oak leaf clusters, and an 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with an oak leaf cluster. In 
addition, he was also inducted into the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame and 
the Order of the Daedalians, a fraternity of pilots.
  With all of these accomplishments, Darrell became a larger-than-life 
figure to all those who knew him. Yet his humble and unassuming spirit 
was demonstrated in all he did. His greatest accomplishments he always 
maintained was marrying the love of his life, Mildred ``Mick'' McPhie. 
They built a beautiful life together providing a loving, cherished home 
for friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to enjoy.
  In his later years, Darrell didn't just quietly sit and watch the 
days go idly by. He found happiness pursuing many hobbies and interests 
including golfing, skiing, and spending quality time with his brothers 
and sisters, grandchildren, and friends.
  He also appreciated computer technology and used it to modernize his 
work in genealogy and family history. He spent many hours serving in 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Family History 
Program. He shared his knowledge and helped many search for their own 
ancestors.
  As the wonderful, strong military leader General George S. Patton 
once said, ``It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather 
we should thank God that such men lived.''
  While I don't believe it is foolish for many to mourn the loss of 
this great man, I do believe that many do thank our Heavenly Father 
that BG Darrell S. Cramer lived and that he provided such a powerful 
example of courage, service, and love for generations to follow.

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