[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 104 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CAPTAIN EVELYN DECKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to pay 
tribute to one of America's heroes, Captain Evelyn Decker. Captain 
Decker recently passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008, at the Northport 
Veterans Medical Center in Northport, New York. Captain Decker was one 
of the first African American nurses accepted to serve in the armed 
forces' Army Nurse Corps during the Korean War. She served with 
distinction for 13 years, in World War II and the Korean War, receiving 
the following medals and citation: American Campaign Medal; National 
Defense Medal; Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; United 
Nations Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation 
Medal with Japan and Germany clasp; Service Lapel Button WWII; and 
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
  Specifically, Captain Evelyn Decker belonged to the 38th Parallel 
Medical Society of Korea, and served as a nurse in the 8055 MASH unit. 
Nurses were on the front lines facing danger day and night, and Captain 
Decker was no exception, having been stationed on the front lines for 
months longer than normal tours of duty called for. During this time, 
she helped to save many lives and provided incalculable comfort to 
countless American soldiers. In addition, she did this as an African 
American woman serving in a segregated military. I know from my Korean 
War service that nurses valiantly went into harm's way in order to 
provide medical care for wounded American soldiers.
  Aware that her war duty had compromised her health, making it 
impossible for her to serve to the standards she wished, Captain Decker 
left the army. It was many years before she would receive a 100 percent 
service-connected disability rating for lung disease caused by her tour 
of duty in Korea. Furthermore, it would take a full 50 years after her 
leaving the service before Captain Decker, at the age of 92, would 
finally be presented with her captain's bars and the several medals to 
which she was entitled.
  During all this time, Captain Decker continued to participate in 
military-related activities, up to and including the current events 
surrounding the commemoration of the Women in Military Service for 
America Memorial. Though frail and wheelchair-bound in recent years, 
Captain Decker felt it was important to stay involved and ensure that 
young people understood the contributions and sacrifices made by so 
many of all races and genders for our country.

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