[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ALTMAN

 Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, today I honor the life 
and service of SGT Robert Altman, United States Army. Sergeant Altman 
is a member of the greatest generation that selflessly served our 
Nation during a time of perhaps the world's greatest turmoil.
  He risked his life and endured almost unbearable pain and suffering 
as a prisoner of the Japanese during World War II.
  He gave so much--so that all of us might be free.
  Sergeant Altman was a crew member on a B-17 stationed at Clark Field 
in the Philippines. It was just 3 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor 
that his bomber, commanded by another Floridian, CPT Colin P. Kelly, 
Jr., loaded three 600-pound bombs and took off with orders to attack 
airfields on what is now Taiwan.
  On the way, the crew spotted a large Japanese invasion force landing 
on the north coast of Luzon in the Philippines.
  Captain Kelly radioed Clark Field for permission to attack. But two 
calls brought only a response to stand by. Kelly and the crew made two 
practice runs at 20,000 feet, and then the bombardier released the 
bombs in a line from the carrier's stern to its bow. According to 
Sergeant Altman, two of the three bombs bracketed the ship; one was a 
direct hit. The enemy boat began to sink and was scuttled by its 
captain.
  On the way home to Clark Field, their lone B-17 was attacked and set 
aflame by Japanese Zeros. Kelly stayed with the plane long enough to 
allow everyone else to bail out, before he went down within miles of 
the airfield. Captain Kelly's body was found near the site.
  Sergeant Altman suffered serious injuries and soon after was offered 
a flight to safety. But he turned it down believing he could better 
serve his country by staying. He was subsequently captured and taken to 
Japan, where he was held as a POW for 40 months. During that time, he 
was forced into slave labor for the Japanese until his release from 
Omori Prison, Tokyo Bay on August 29, 1945.
  But it was the early report of his and his crew's heroism in that 
attack after Pearl Harbor that inspired a nation reeling in shock. 
Alone and far from friendly territory, Sergeant Altman and his fellow 
heroes served their country well.
  Today, Bob is an avid Florida Gator fan and I will have the honor of 
presenting him this statement before the game on November 21. Captain 
Kelly's younger sister, Emmy, and her children, Mary and Colin, will be 
there, too.
  I would hope Bob gets to see many more games. Today, I send best 
wishes from the U.S. Senate to SGT Robert Altman and his family and 
friends, including the family of CPT Colin P. Kelly, Jr.

                          ____________________