[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ARMY STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT SPEED, JR. OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, A 
       WWII HERO RECENTLY AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Army Staff 
Sgt. Robert Speed, Jr., who was recently honored with the Distinguished 
Flying Cross for his service and sacrifice in defense of our great 
country during World War II.
  Sgt. Speed and the entire B-24 crew: 1st Lt. James E. Jatho, 1st Lt. 
Edward L. McNally, 2nd Lt. George N. Croft, 2nd Lt. Theodore D. Bell, 
Technical Sgt. Jay T. Fish, Technical Sgt. William A. Magill, Staff 
Sgt. Frank G. Celuck, Staff Sgt. William F. Maxson, Jr., and Staff Sgt. 
Daniel P. Toomey distinguished themselves by extraordinary achievement 
while participating in aerial combat on July 15, 1944. The B-24 crew in 
the 779th Bomb Squadron, 464th Bomber Group, 15th Air Force took off 
from Pantanella, Italy, to take part in what was to become the heaviest 
day of bombing the oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania.
  The crew encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire--severely damaging the 
plane--and causing the loss of one engine. Sgt. Speed, a gunner on the 
B-24 Liberator, courageously manned his gun position and remained at 
his station throughout the remainder of the flight, which went deep 
into enemy territory. The mission was successful--the Uniera Sperantza 
oil refinery and enemy refining capacity were heavily damaged.
  The day following this mission, the crew continued to demonstrate 
courage and devotion to duty when it took part in a raid on Weiner 
Neusdorf, Austria. During this mission, their plane was shot down, and 
Sgt. Magill was killed in action. The surviving crew members were 
captured and taken as prisoners of war and held for the remainder of 
the war.
  Almost 63 years later, the nine surviving members of the crew were 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  Madam Speaker, the life and actions of Sgt. Speed personify the very 
best America has to offer. I feel certain his many friends and family, 
as well as his comrades in the United States Army, are taking this 
opportunity to remember his many accomplishments. I urge my colleagues 
to take a moment and pay tribute to Sgt. Robert Speed and his selfless 
devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.
  Make no mistake; Robert Speed is a true American hero.

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