[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ROY JOHN SPENCER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Roy John 
Spencer. Roy Spencer is a veteran of World War II and was posthumously 
awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star medals. Roy was killed in 
action, at the age of 26, on January 12, 1945 in the Battle of the 
Bulge.
  Roy Spencer was born in 1918 and he enlisted in the United States 
Army on January 12, 1945. He went on to serve as a member of the 507th 
Parachute Infantry Regiment and fought in several battles in Europe, 
including the Battle of the Bulge.
  In January 1945, Private Spencer and his company were attacked by 
German forces in the woods outside of the Belgium town of Flamizoulle. 
As Private Spencer and his bazooka team advanced forward, they were 
confronted by counterattacks from German tanks. Roy's bazooka was 
struck by pieces of flying shrapnel which resulted in holes being torn 
in the weapon's tube. Private Spencer and his teammate knew that the 
tanks must be stopped, despite the danger of using a faulty weapon. 
Without a thought for personal safety, they fired the bazooka in an 
attempt to stop the tanks. The weapon exploded and both men were killed 
instantly.
  The bravery and heroism of Private Spencer inspired his company to 
successfully repulse the German counterattack. Private Spencer was laid 
to rest in the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, 
Luxembourg. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Queen Spencer.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and honor Roy John Spencer for 
his service to our country, for his gallantry and for the sacrifice he 
made to protect his fellow soldiers. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in honoring Private Roy John Spencer.

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