[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROBERT H. ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
constituent of mine, Robert H. Anderson, Lt. Col., USMC (ret.) who 
sadly passed away in November 2009. Lt. Col. Anderson was laid to rest 
Friday April 2, 2010 in Arlington National Cemetery.
  Lt. Col. Anderson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for 
heroism during World War II. He became a Corsair pilot and was in 
nearly every major battle in the Pacific including Iwo Jima, 
Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Tarawa, Guam, Peleliu, Tinian and others. Between 
these battles, he fought kamikazes that were attacking our ships, flew 
reconnaissance missions, and escorted bombers, protecting them from 
Japanese fighter planes. During one of his escort missions he was hit 
with anti-aircraft fire and told to bail out. He jettisoned the canopy 
but at the last moment he decided that he would take his chances and 
try to get back to his base in Okinawa. He successfully landed on the 
runway at Okinawa with no canopy, no landing gear and much of his plane 
and controls damaged.
  Throughout his life, Lt. Col. Anderson demonstrated his commitment to 
serving his country. After World War II, Lt. Col. Anderson served in 
the Marine Corps Reserve testing new jets, training pilots and keeping 
his skills sharp in case he was needed in combat again. He served one 
weekend a month and two weeks twice a year until Vietnam. He also 
volunteered as a recruiter for the Marine Corps Reserve and helped 
overhaul their public relations strategy. He volunteered for active 
duty during the Korean Campaign, but was not called.
  Lt. Col. Anderson's service and dedication to this country warrants 
the highest recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
this great American.

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