[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1727]]


HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERANS 1ST CLASS MACHINIST MATE ROYCE DAVID AND 
                   SIGNALMAN THIRD CLASS JACK GOODWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize two World 
War II veterans, 1st Class Machinist Mate Royce David and Signalman 
Third Class Jack Goodwin, for their distinguished service in the U.S. 
Navy.
  On the morning of April 16, 1945, Japanese suicide pilots in the 
South Pacific attacked the USS Laffey and nearby sister ship USS LCS 
51. The heavy strikes began at 8:27 a.m. when two planes headed for the 
bow and two other planes headed for the stern of USS Laffey. With the 
assistance of USS LCS 51, all four planes were shot down. In fact, it 
would take six more kamikazes to finally penetrate the ships. The USS 
Laffey caught fire when the seventh plane crashed. While most ships 
would sink after just one plane hit, Laffey withstood eight more plane 
crashes and bombs.
  All total, twenty-two planes attempted to attack the USS Laffey, nine 
of which were shot down. Laffey survived the attacks, despite heavy 
damage to the ship, including a complete loss of electrical power, and 
pulled into port the following day.
  On board these two ships were two men from North Texas. Mr. David, of 
Mesquite, Texas, was serving in the engine room of USS Laffey. 
Meanwhile, Mr. Goodwin, of Garland, Texas, was aboard the USS 51, which 
picked up several of Laffey's overboard crewmembers, fought fires, and 
helped shoot down suicide bombers.
  Mr. Goodwin, along with the rest of USS LCS 51 crew, earned the 
Presidential Unit Citation for his action and assistance on April 16, 
1945. A year later, Mr. Goodwin received an honorable discharge from 
the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Signalman Third Class and returned to Texas 
to work as a structural ironworker and in the freight industry as a 
truck driver.
  Mr. David served in the U.S. Navy for two more years and then 
returned to Texas to work for the U.S. Post Office. Sixty-three years 
later, these two gentlemen are finally receiving their long overdue 
medals. I am honored to recognize Mr. David for earning the Navy Good 
Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, 
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern 
Campaign with one bronze star, the Combat Action Ribbon, a Honorable 
Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck), and a Discharge Button.
  I also want to recognize Mr. Goodwin for earning the Combat Action 
Ribbon, the Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck), and the Navy 
Discharge Button.
  Today, these gentlemen live in neighboring cities in North Texas, 
attend the same church, and have formed a deep friendship.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth District of Texas, I am humbled 
and privileged to recognize Mr. Royce David and Mr. Jack Goodwin. As 
Calvin Coolidge once said, ``The nation which forgets its defenders 
will itself be forgotten.'' I for one am committed to ensuring this 
nation never forgets.

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