[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E141-E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING ANDY KYLE, WWII VETERAN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2010

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the city of Liberty in the Second 
District of Texas is proud to honor one of its oldest and bravest

[[Page E142]]

Veterans of WWII. Andy Kyle has lived an adventurous life full of 
courage, honor, and spirit all throughout his 95 years. In East Texas 
he is known as an arrowhead collector, donating the majority of his 
finds to the Sam Houston Regional Library. He and his late wife Kay 
were married for nearly 50 years with two daughters, Andrea and Libby.
  Andy holds a very distinguished wartime record for his service during 
WWII. Because he was over the age for pilot school he went to the Army 
Air Corps for mechanic training completing a 2\1/2\ and a half year 
program in only 6 months. Soon thereafter he became the Crew Chief on a 
C-47 Dakota transport plane. He served as Crew Chief for 2 years during 
combat operations in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, England, and France.
  As a member of the 50th Troop Carrier Squadron, Andy took on the role 
of dropping paratroopers and supplies into the war zone. Oftentimes 
this meant carrying flammable gasoline. One of Andy's great feats was 
flying 55-gallon drums of gasoline to the East coast of Italy to 
resupply African American pilots.
  The 50th Troop also participated in the infamous invasion of Normandy 
on D-Day where his plane dropped fully geared paratroopers to the drop 
zone in France. It was during the Battle of the Bulge that Andy's 
squadron received the most hits. Of the 13 planes, 6 were lost in 
trying to aid the Allied Forces. It was a costly victory for the Allies 
as well as a personal loss for Andy who lost his brother-in-law JG and 
his other friend Junior Price. Andy still carries pictures of the 
monument erected in their honor, showing what a caring and honorable 
soul he is.
  Madam Speaker, Andy is one of our many veterans who gave so much to 
honor our country by serving in a time of war. It is because of his 
courage and dedication to the United States that we, the Second 
District of Texas, honor him today.

                          ____________________