[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NINE WORLD WAR II HEROES RECEIVE LONG OVERDUE HONORS

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, Tomorrow we will honor nine 
World War II U.S. Army Air Forces members here at the United States 
Capitol with Distinguished Flying Crosses for actions during a mission 
attacking oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania, more than 60 years ago.
  The nine heroic service members to be honored are 1LT James E. J 
atho, 1LT Edward L. McNally, 2LT George N. Croft, 2LT Theodore D. Bell, 
TSGT. Jay T. Fish, TSGT. William A. Magill, SSGT Frank G. Celuck, SSGT 
Robert D. Speed, and SSGT Daniel P. Toomey.
  The nine medal recipients were members of a B-24 Liberator crew 
assigned to the 779th Bomb Squadron, 464th Bomber Group, 15th Air 
Force, who flew the mission July 15, 1944. The crew took off from 
Pantanella, Italy, to take part in what was to become the heaviest day 
of bombing of the oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania. Enroute to the 
target, the crew encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire, severely 
damaging the plane and causing the loss of one engine.
  Despite a damaged plane, pilots Jatho and Croft managed to hold the 
course. Navigator Bell successfully plotted the flight path while 
Engineer Fish powered the engines to reach the target. Gunners Celuck, 
Speed and Toomey courageously manned their gun positions battling 
through to the target. In heavy smoke, Bombardier McNally armed each 
bomb and successfully released the payload over the Uniera Sperantza 
oil refinery.
  After dropping the payload, the crew's plane began losing speed and 
altitude and lost contact with the rest of their squadron. Over the 
Adriatic Sea, Radio Operator Magill was able to successfully dial in 
the Pantanella base homing signal while Engineer Fish got enough power 
from the remaining three engines in order for Navigator Bell and pilots 
Jatho and Croft to successfully guide the crew and damaged plane to 
their base at Pantanella without further damage to the plane or 
injuries to the crew.
  The next day, the crew took part in a raid on Weiner Neusdorf, 
Austria, during which their plane was shot down. TSgt Magill was killed 
in action and the rest of the crew was taken as prisoners of war for 
the remainder of World War II.
  Today we honor the three living members of the crew: 1LT Edward L. 
McNally of Stone Mountain, GA; TSgt Jay T. Fish of Englewood, FL; and 
SSgt Robert D. Speed of Mobile, AL.
  Six of the honorees will receive the medal posthumously, and be 
represented by family members. Receiving the award for 1LT James E. 
Jatho, his son, Mr. Jim Jatho of Augusta, GA; for 2LT Theodore D. Bell, 
his widow, Mrs. Jean Bell of Evanston, IL; for 2LT George N. Croft, his 
widow, Mrs. Lorraine Croft of Kenai, AK; for TSgt William A. Magill, 
his niece, Ms. Patricia Thornburg of Belleville, MI; for SSgt Frank G. 
Celuck, his daughter, Ms. Mary Ellen McConnell ofMonroeville, PA; for 
SSgt Daniel P. Toomey, his daughter, Ms. Eileen Gorman of Dedham, MA.
  Madam Speaker, Air Force Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley will 
officiate today over the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross 
to these World War II heroes. Special words of thanks are due to 
General Moseley for his personal review of this matter over the past 
year since I first raised the story of this crew with him. He took a 
personal interest in this matter and he and his staff put in many long 
hours to document the story of this mission and verify the crew's 
eligibility for one of our Nation's highest military honors.
  Thank you, General Moseley, for allowing us to honor these nine brave 
men and express deep appreciation for their outstanding and selfless 
service to our country. The ceremony will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in 
2118 Rayburn House Office Building. All are welcome to come and say 
thank you to these men who sacrificed so much in the defense of freedom 
and liberty.

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