[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 30 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING A LIFE OF HEROIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAC THORNBERRY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2010

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Seaman 
Garlen Eslick and his service to our nation.
  Mr. Eslick lived in Amarillo, Texas. As an 18 year old farm boy, he 
joined the Navy. Just months later, on December 7, 1941, Seaman Eslick 
was aboard the USS Oklahoma as it was attacked in Pearl Harbor. In the 
galley at the time of the attack, he was a powder handler for the 
ship's 14-inch guns. Making his way to his battle station four decks 
below, Seaman Eslick and a few others helped a wounded soldier through 
a hatch. After the Oklahoma took heavy machine-gun fire and five 
torpedoes, the ship rolled; knocking Seaman Eslick unconscious in his 
compartment. He awoke in total darkness to rising water as the only 
survivor in that compartment. Hours later another sailor carrying a 
light told him of other survivors several compartments over. The two 
dove from compartment to compartment, searching for a way out for 
themselves and the 12 others they found. After 28 hours in the oil-
soaked compartment, Seaman Eslick was one of the 31 sailors rescued and 
returned to active duty after a four-day stay on a hospital ship.
  While assigned to the USS Saratoga, he survived a torpedo attack from 
a submarine. Later, on the USS John Hancock he saw action in Leyte and 
Manila in the Philippine Islands, even weathering a typhoon and 
surviving a kamikaze attack, and taking part in operations at Iwo Jima 
and Okinawa.
  Seaman Eslick was awarded a Purple Heart for his heroic actions and 
the injuries he sustained on December 7, 1941 and the Honorable Service 
Lapel Pin for his four years of service.
  Seaman Garlen Eslick never expected special attention for his service 
during WWII. At the unveiling of the USS Oklahoma Memorial in 2002, 
Seaman Eslick said ``it's always important to remember the ones we've 
lost and those who are still with us.''
  On Monday, February 8, Garlen passed away, leaving his wife Betty of 
65 years, their four children, 12 grandchildren, and 25 great-
grandchildren. It is with gratitude for his service and admiration of 
his heroism that I hope we all will remember Seaman Garlen Eslick, his 
comrades, and their service to protect our freedom.

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