[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4918-H4919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING VETERANS OF HELICOPTER ATTACK LIGHT SQUADRON THREE

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1228) honoring the veterans of Helicopter 
Attack Light Squadron Three and their families, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1228

       Whereas Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three (hereinafter 
     in this resolution referred to as ``HAL-3'') began its 
     history as detachments of Navy Helicopter Combat Support 
     Squadron One (HC-1) which began helicopter gunship operations 
     in support of Navy ``Brown Water'', Special Operations, and 
     Army units in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam on September 
     19, 1966;
       Whereas the detachments of HC-1 adopted the name 
     ``Seawolves'';
       Whereas HAL-3 was officially established on April 1, 1967, 
     in Vung Tau, South Vietnam, and was the only active duty Navy 
     helicopter gunship squadron in the history of Naval Aviation;
       Whereas during the squadron's existence, the nearly 3,000 
     veterans of HAL-3 displayed extraordinary courage in support 
     of United States military and political objectives in 
     Vietnam;
       Whereas 44 veterans of HAL-3 gave their lives in support of 
     military operations in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam;
       Whereas the extraordinary performance of the veterans of 
     HAL-3 earned numerous unit citations including 6 Presidential 
     Unit Citations, 7 Navy Unit Commendations, 1 Meritorious Unit 
     Commendation, a Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit 
     Commendation, and the Vietnam Service Medal;
       Whereas the valor of the veterans of HAL-3 earned 5 Navy 
     Crosses, 31 Silver Stars, 2 Legion of Merit Medals, 5 Navy 
     and Marine Corps Medals, 219 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 
     156 Purple Hearts, 101 Bronze Stars, 142 Republic of Vietnam 
     Gallantry Crosses, over 16,000 Air Medals, 439 Navy 
     Commendation Medals, and 228 Navy Achievement Medals, making 
     it possibly the most decorated Navy squadron during the 
     Vietnam War;
       Whereas the maintenance and administrative personnel of 
     HAL-3 contributed greatly to the successes of the nine HAL-3 
     detachments operating throughout the Mekong Delta by 
     providing the detachments with superb maintenance support and 
     logistics;
       Whereas HAL-3 flew over 130,000 hours of combat and 
     logistical support;
       Whereas HAL-3 inflicted several thousand casualties on 
     enemy forces;
       Whereas HAL-3 performed 1,530 medical evacuations;
       Whereas HAL-3 delivered over 37,000 passengers and over 
     1,000,000 pounds of cargo; and
       Whereas HAL-3 was disestablished in March 1972 at Binh 
     Thuy, South Vietnam, as part of the Vietnamization program 
     leaving behind it a combat and humanitarian record recognized 
     as bringing great credit upon the United States Navy and its 
     role in the Vietnam War: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the service, courage, and sacrifice of the 
     veterans of HAL-3;
       (2) honors the families of HAL-3 veterans for their 
     support;
       (3) expresses its condolences to the families and comrades 
     of those killed in action; and
       (4) recognizes HAL-3 as a unique squadron in the history of 
     naval aviation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on House Resolution 1228, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank first the Committee on Armed Services 
for working with us to bring this bill to the floor. This resolution 
recognizes and honors the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron 
Three and their families and is sponsored by Mr. Boozman of Arkansas. 
The resolution recognizes the extraordinary courage of the nearly 3,000 
veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three, also known as HAL-
3, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to March of 1972.
  The resolution also serves to honor the enormous sacrifice of the 44 
members of HAL-3 who gave their lives while serving alongside their 
comrades in support of military operations in the Mekong Delta, 
Vietnam. This remarkable unit earned six Presidential Unit Citations, 
five Navy Crosses, 31 Silver Stars, 219 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 
and 156 Purple Hearts, among numerous other awards and unit citations, 
making it possibly the most decorated Navy squadron during the Vietnam 
War.
  Between 1967 and 1972, HAL-3 flew over 130,000 hours of combat and 
logistical support, inflicted thousands of casualties on enemy forces, 
performed 1,530 medical evacuations, carried more than 37,000 
passengers, and delivered more than 1 million pounds of cargo to their 
destinations. The unit's expert maintenance and support personnel 
worked tirelessly to ensure that the squadron's aircraft were 
operationally ready and that its crews were provided with the daily 
support needed to accomplish their dangerous and critically important 
missions.
  This resolution serves to honor the families of the HAL-3 veterans 
for their support and to express our condolences to the families and 
comrades of those killed in action. Helicopter Attack Light Squadron 
Three left behind a combat and humanitarian record recognized as 
bringing great credit upon the United States Navy and its role in the 
Vietnam War. Passing this resolution is the least we can do to honor 
the service and enormous sacrifice of the Americans that constituted 
such a valorous unit in naval aviation history.

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                    Washington, DC, June 28, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: I am writing to you concerning H. 
     Res. 1228, honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light 
     Squadron Three and their families. This measure was referred 
     to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the 
     Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently 
     determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
     such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
     committee concerned.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H. Res. 1228, 
     and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over 
     this legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive 
     further consideration of H. Res. 1228. I do so with the 
     understanding that by waiving consideration of the 
     resolution, the Committee on Armed Services does not waive 
     any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters 
     contained in the

[[Page H4919]]

     resolution which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction.
       Please place this letter and a copy of your response into 
     the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure 
     on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in 
     which you have worked regarding this matter and others 
     between our respective committees.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                   Committee on Veterans' Affairs,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 28, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     House Resolution 1228, ``Honoring the veterans of Helicopter 
     Attack Light Squadron Three and their families.'' The measure 
     was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
     sequentially referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
       I agree that the Committee on Armed Services has certain 
     valid jurisdictional claims to this resolution, and I 
     appreciate your decision to waive further consideration of H. 
     Res. 1228 in the interest of expediting consideration of this 
     important measure. I agree that by agreeing to waive further 
     consideration, the Committee on Armed Services is not waiving 
     its jurisdictional claims over similar measures in the 
     future.
       During consideration of this measure on the House floor, I 
     will ask that this exchange of letters be included in the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Bob Filner,
                                                         Chairman.

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, at this point I would like to yield such 
time as he may consume to the author of this legislation, H.R. 1228, 
Dr. Boozman of Arkansas. He was former chairman and now ranking member 
of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs 
Committee.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. I want to thank Ranking Member Buyer for yielding, and 
then also I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Filner, and Ranking Member 
Buyer for allowing us to bring this resolution forward.
  Madam Speaker, I was proud to introduce House Resolution 1228, 
honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and 
their families to recognize the veterans' sacrifices and service to 
America during the Vietnam War.
  Despite the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War, most of the 
officers and enlisted men who served in the HAL-3 were volunteers. Most 
of the pilots were fresh out of flight training in Pensacola and most 
of the junior enlisted were recent graduates of Navy boot camp and 
technical training schools. Their leaders were also new to combat, 
coming mostly from shipped-based helicopter squadrons normally assigned 
to track submarines and haul supplies.
  HAL-3 fought from 1967 to 1972. In that time, they earned the respect 
of Army and Navy units throughout the Mekong Delta for their courage 
under fire and their dedication to supporting their comrades on the 
ground and in small boats patrolling the canals and rivers. They 
supported Army troop insertions and extractions. Navy SEALs counted on 
their support in tight situations. Wounded sailors and soldiers 
benefited from battlefield medivacs. In short, the Seawolves mastered 
every form of combat helicopter operations.
  Here are some of the statistics from the resolution: the nine 
detachments and home guard of HAL-3 flew 130,000 flight hours in 5 
years. They performed 1,530 medical evacuations, inflicted thousands of 
casualties on enemy forces, transported 37,000 passengers, and hauled a 
million pounds of cargo. In accomplishing those milestones with a fleet 
of castoff gun ships and a few slicks, the veterans of HAL-3 were 
awarded 156 Purple Hearts, five Navy Crosses, 31 Silver Stars, 219 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, 101 Bronze Stars, 142 Vietnam Gallantry 
Crosses, 16,000 Air Medals, and numerous other awards, including six 
Presidential Unit Citations, the highest recognition given to military 
units.
  Like any combat operation, there was a cost; 44 Seawolves lost their 
lives and are among the 58,000 immortalized on the Vietnam Memorial. 
Today, the children and grandchildren of those brave souls can be 
justifiably proud of the heritage of courage and sacrifice of their 
fathers and grandfathers.
  Madam Speaker, I would especially like to mention citizens of 
Arkansas who served with HAL-3: George Blackwell, Frank W. Butler, 
Wayne Campbell, Johnny P. Cruse, James L. Keyes, Terry A. McMellon, 
William J. Mulcahy, Charles Osborne, James N. Prater, and Mack Thomas. 
It's been an honor to bring this resolution honoring the HAL-3 
Seawolves to the House, and I strongly urge my colleagues to add their 
names to the roster of those recognizing these American sailors.

                              {time}  1230

  Mr. BUYER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BUYER. I thank the gentleman for bringing this.
  I also want to recognize Hoosiers who also shared danger of combat 
above the rice paddies and the forests of the Mekong Delta; those who 
served with HAL-3 from Indiana: J. Howard Cook, Rick Hodge, Melvin 
Howell, Thomas H. Jackson, Robert L. Redman, and Jay Wakeland.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1228, Honoring 
the Veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and Their 
Families and want to express my appreciation to Dr. Boozman for 
introducing this resolution.
  This weekend, we celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of 
the Declaration of Independence. Over the years, our freedoms and the 
interests of the United States have been defended by over 40 million 
men and women and of those, over 1 million have died and 1.6 million 
have been wounded. I find it ironic that something as beautiful as 
freedom must be maintained by something as horrible as war.
  Within those millions, there is a small group of Navy veterans who 
hold a unique place in the Navy's history. Those are the veterans of 
Helicopter Attack Squadron Three, better known as the HAL-3 Seawolves, 
the only active duty attack helicopter squadron in the Navy's history.
  Using hand-me-down Army UH-1B gunships, Seawolf pilots and gunners 
provided air cover for Navy and Army brown water units in the Mekong 
Delta of Vietnam. From the squadron's commissioning in 1967 to its 
decommissioning in 1972, nearly 3,000 sailors wore the black beret of 
HAL-3, and 44 of those courageous combat veterans are listed among the 
dead on the Vietnam War Memorial here in Washington. Another 156 were 
awarded the Purple Heart for their wounds.
  These veterans came from every state and every socio-economic 
background. Most were in their late teens and twenties. Among the 
officers, most wore the silver bars of a lieutenant junior grade. Most 
of the enlisted men were airmen and junior petty officers. They were 
lead by a core of officers and Chief Petty Officers who cared for them, 
trained them, and shared the dangers of combat above the rice paddies 
and forests of the Mekong Delta. The sailors who provided maintenance 
and administrative support to the flight crews were essential to 
keeping the helicopters flying and are equally worthy of our 
recognition.

  I would especially like to recognize several Hoosiers who served in 
HAL-3: J. Howard Cook, Rick Hodge, Melvin Howell, Thomas H. Jackson, 
Robert L. Redman, Jay Wakeland.
  Madam Speaker, House Resolution honors the service of all the 
veterans of HAL-3 and the families of these veterans for their support. 
We also express our condolences to the families of those 44 who gave 
the full measure of devotion and finally recognize the Seawolves' 
unique place in Naval Aviation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1228, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________