[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 154 (Friday, October 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. ROLAND R. PINEAU

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS. G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2007

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge 
the extraordinary life of aviation electronics technician Chief Roland 
R. Pineau, and to mourn his passing upon the 40th anniversary of his 
death.
  Born on July 6, 1929, Chief Pineau devoted his life to God, family 
and our country in the U.S. Navy. In 1946, at the age of 17, Chief 
Pineau embarked on a 21-year naval career, which included service in 
both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After more than 20 years of service, 
Chief Pineau volunteered for a third tour of duty in Vietnam where he 
was stationed as an aviation technician chief on an E-1B aircraft 
commonly known as ``Willy Fudd.'' On October 8, 1967, during a combat 
support flight mission the ``Willy Fudd'' went down 14 miles south of 
DaNang, South Vietnam on a steep mountain slope. Chief Pineau and 4 
other crew members were listed as Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. 
For his courage and bravery, Chief Pineau was awarded 3 Air Medals, 2 
Gold Stars, 2 National Defense Awards, a Korean Service Medal, China 
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
Medal, and a Navy Commendation Ribbon.
  And there his story remained, until November 2006, when communist 
Vietnam announced its recovery of Chief Pineau's remains from the Willy 
Fudd's crash site. After 40 years, on October 9, 2007, having finally 
returned home, Chief Pineau was formally laid to rest by his loved 
ones, who never succumbed to their grief and faithfully fought for this 
day on his behalf. Chief Pineau is survived by his parents, Robert and 
Elizabeth Pineau, his brother, Dennis Pineau, and his beloved wife, 
Jackie Pineau. A beloved and noble man--an American--Chief Pineau will 
be sorely missed.
  Madam Speaker, Chief Roland Pineau is remembered as a brave soldier, 
a loyal friend, and a dedicated husband. Today, as we bid him farewell, 
I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning his passing and honoring his 
unwavering patriotism and eternal sacrifice to our community and 
country.

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