[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 146 (Friday, September 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING HEROIC MARINES

  Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, it is with great honor that I rise today 
in order to recognize the heroism of Marine PFC C. Stuart Upchurch, 
Sr., and Marine Cpl Richard E. Vana.
  The Battle of Okinawa, fought on the Japanese island of Okinawa, was 
the largest amphibious assault during the Pacific Campaigns of World 
War II. The battle lasted from late March through June 1945, and was 
the last major campaign of the War in the Pacific. The battle has been 
referred to as the ``Typhoon of Steel'' in English, and tetsu no ame--
``Rain of Steel''--in Japanese. These nicknames refer to the ferocity 
of the fighting, the intensity of gunfire, and sheer numbers of Allied 
ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. More ships were 
used, troops put ashore, supplies transported, bombs dropped, and naval 
guns fired against shore targets than any other operation in the 
Pacific.
  There were over 72,000 United States casualties at Okinawa, of which 
12,513 were killed or missing.
  In the last days of the Battle for Okinawa, PFC C. Stuart Upchurch, 
Sr., and Cpl Richard E. Vana were marines assigned to the 2nd Squad, 
3rd Platoon, Baker Company, 4th Regiment, 6th Marine Division.
  On or about June 1, 1945, Baker Company came under heavy Japanese 
mortar fire. Corporal Vana and Private First Class Upchurch were on the 
way back to their unit, having filled in at Charlie Company's defensive 
line the night before. With no foxhole of their own, Vana and Upchurch 
jumped into the first position they could find, sharing the foxhole 
with a new lieutenant and another marine.
  When a nearby foxhole was struck by enemy mortar fire, a marine 
manning the position could be heard crying for help. Under the 
onslaught of constant enemy fire, and with complete disregard for their 
own well being, Vana and Upchurch ran up the hill to assist the 
marines. Inside the foxhole that took a direct hit, they found ``Red'' 
and Richey, cousins from the Boston area. ``Red'' had been fatally 
wounded and Richey was seriously injured. Richey was suffering from a 
life threatening arterial wound to the upper thigh.
  Still under the barrage of Japanese mortars, Vana and Upchurch 
proceeded to drag Richey out of the foxhole and down the hill. Upchurch 
then carried the marine while Vana provided protective cover. They made 
way for a cave which was being used as an aid station. Inside the cave, 
Vana and Upchurch provided critical lifesaving first-aid until a 
corpsman was able to assist.
  Without the selfless and courageous actions of Vana and Upchurch, 
Richey would have perished from his severe wounds. Their actions 
exemplify the Marine Corps motto ``Semper Fidelis,'' meaning ``Always 
Faithful.''
  PFC C. Stuart Upchurch, Sr., and Cpl Richard E. Vana's gallant 
actions in close contact with the enemy, and unyielding courage and 
bravery, are in the highest traditions of military service, and reflect 
great credit upon themselves, their unit, the U.S. Marine Corps, and 
the United States of America.

                          ____________________