[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MAJOR PERRY JEFFERSON

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Major Perry 
Jefferson. On April 3, 1969, Major Jefferson was an aerial observer on 
board an O-1G Bird Dog observation aircraft conducting a reconnaissance 
mission in the Ninh Thuan Province of Vietnam when the aircraft 
crashed. After an extensive search, Major Jefferson's body was not 
recovered and he was subsequently listed Missing in Action. However, in 
2001, after 32 years, a Vietnamese national turned over remains that 
were identified to be that of Major Jefferson. Today, Major Jefferson 
was finally laid to rest in our nation's most hallowed grounds in a 
moving ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
  While growing up in Colorado, Major Jefferson developed a love for 
geology, wilderness and the mines of Colorado; so much so, that his 
code word was Geneva Creek, after a tributary of the North Fork South 
Platte River in central Colorado. A graduate of Southern Methodist 
University, Major Jefferson joined the Colorado Air National Guard as a 
technician and intelligence officer with the 120th Tactical Fighter 
Squadron when it was mobilized to Vietnam in 1968. Major Jefferson was 
a committed patriot. While in Vietnam, he served his Nation with great 
distinction. Major Jefferson embodies the spirit and character of 
Colorado, and I commend his service and sacrifice.
  The return of his remains brings closure to his family and friends. I 
am grateful to have this opportunity and I hope that the 96,000 
Americans missing and unaccounted for while serving their country will 
eventually receive a similar honor.

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