[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 107 (Friday, June 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RAYMOND G. MURPHY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. STEVE BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 25, 2007

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for four 
bills that are before the House. H.R. 366, H.R. 2546, H.R. 2602, and S. 
229 honor four Medal of Honor recipients who through their diligence 
and self-sacrifice protected the freedoms we hold dear today. As we 
move toward the Fourth of July recess, it is fitting that we pay 
tribute to these four men, two of whom were Native Americans.
  H.R. 366 would pay honor to Ernest Childers by naming the VA 
Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, OK, the ``Ernest Childers Department of 
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' A Creek Indian from Oklahoma, 
Ernest Childers enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937 to earn 
extra money while attending the Chilocco Indian School in north-central 
Oklahoma. He was deployed to Africa to fight in World War II, and 
retired from the Army in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During action in 
1943 in Oliveto, Italy, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up 
a hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun 
nests and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courageous action 
helped American troops win the battle and save the lives of American 
soldiers. Ernest Childers was also awarded the Purple Heart and the 
Bronze Star for his actions.
  H.R. 2546 would honor the sacrifice of a Cherokee Indian from North 
Carolina, Private First Class Charles George, who made the ultimate 
sacrifice while serving his country in Korea. This legislation would 
name the VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, as the ``Charles George 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.'' Private First Class 
George displayed gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the 
call of duty in action against the enemy, when enemy forces launched a 
grenade into his company and after calling out a warning to his 
comrades, he pushed one soldier out of danger, and with full knowledge 
of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, 
absorbing the full blast of the explosion. It is more than fitting that 
we name this VA facility in his honor.
  H.R. 2602 would pay tribute to Oscar G. Johnson by naming the VA 
Medical Facility in Iron Mountain, MI, the ``Oscar G. Johnson 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.'' Another of our World 
War II heroes, U.S. Army Sergeant Oscar Johnson led his company to 
protect the left flank of an offensive to break the German's Gothic 
Line. Under heavy fire, most of his company were either killed or 
wounded. Yet Sergeant Johnson held the line, and continued to single-
handedly hold the line from September 16-18, 1944. On September 17, 
1944, 25 German soldiers surrendered to him. He was sent two additional 
men to reinforce his position, but they were both injured and were 
removed to their rear. He remained on watch through the night, and when 
finally relieved of his post on September 18, 1944, 20 dead Germans 
were found in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter 
disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Johnson was in a large measure 
responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left 
flank.

  The final bill under consideration is S. 229, which would honor 
Raymond G. ``Jerry'' Murphy by naming the VA Medical Center in 
Albuquerque, NM, the ``Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center.'' Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Korea, 
Second Lieutenant Murphy had positioned his unit above the Imjin River 
facing the Chinese Communist troops. On February 3, 1953, American 
forces attacked the Chinese Communists who were dug into high ground. 
As the battle went on, sensing the operation was not being executed as 
planned, Lieutenant Murphy led his reserve platoon up the hill to find 
all the officers and noncoms of the two assault platoons dead or 
wounded and confusion among the troops. In the midst of machine 
gunfire, he ordered his men to find their comrades and evacuate the 
area. Jerry Murphy made several trips in the midst of heavy gunfire to 
rescue casualties. At one point, Jerry Murphy was helping lift a 
stretcher when he was hit in the back by fragments of an enemy grenade. 
He refused medical attention and continued to lead his men to rescue 
their wounded comrades, holding off the Chinese Communist troops with 
an automatic rifle until all the Marines were safe. Wounded a second 
time, Second Lieutenant Murphy continued to refuse treatment and 
provided cover for his troops, until all Marines were safe and 
accounted for. The House companion bill for S. 229 is H.R. 474, 
introduced by Congresswoman Heather Wilson.
  The four men we pay tribute today served their country with honor, 
valor, and courage. The three Medal of Honor recipients who survived to 
return to the United States continued to serve their country in the 
military and in public service. After his retirement from the military 
in 1965, Ernest Childers continued his public service as a leader among 
the Creek Nation, and spoke out against racism. Oscar Johnson continued 
to serve his country as the foreman of a National Guard vehicle 
maintenance shop in Lansing, MI, and served for 30 years with the 
National Guard. Raymond Murphy dedicated 20 years of his life helping 
veterans in New Mexico, serving as the Director of the Veterans 
Services Division of the Albuquerque, NM, VA Regional Office from 1974-
1997. After his retirement from the VA, he continued to volunteer at 
the VA hospital in Albuquerque. As a final tribute to the veterans he 
cared for, upon his death this past April, Raymond Murphy requested to 
be buried in his VA Volunteer smock.
  It is right and fitting that we pay tribute to these Medal of Honor 
recipients, who through their service to a grateful Nation, continue to 
provide inspiration, pride and encouragement for generations to come.

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