[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CARL MESCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carl Mescher of 
Metropolis, Illinois. Mr. Mescher will turn 90 on August 12, 2010. A 
reception to celebrate his birthday is being held in Metropolis on 
August 8, 2010.
  Mr. Mescher grew up on the family farm, where he still raises cattle 
and crops. He served in the United States Navy from June 1940 to July 
1946, where he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was 
assigned to the USS Pennsylvania, which was in Pearl Harbor on December 
7, 1941. Mr. Mescher manned the telephone connected directly to the 
bridge during the attack.
  On December 20, 1941, the USS Pennsylvania was sent to San Francisco 
for repairs of damage caused during the attack with Mr. Mescher on 
board. He then served as an observation plane radioman-gunner and 
participated in missions to retake the islands. He was awarded the Air 
Medal for courageous action in the Pacific theater at Makin, Kwajalein, 
and Eniwetok Atoll.
  I am honored to thank Mr. Mescher for his service to our nation. May 
God bless him with continued health and happiness.

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