[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF BRIGADIER GENERAL KENNETH W. NORTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brigadier General 
Kenneth W. North, who passed away on September 21, 2010. Kenneth North 
fought for his country and survived seven years in a Vietnamese POW 
camp, and I am honored to stand in tribute to him.
  General North was born in 1930 in Rockville, Connecticut, and 
graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1953. In 1974, he 
completed studies at the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. In 
Vietnam, North served as a fighter pilot and flew 33 combat missions 
before being downed by enemy fire on August 1, 1966.
  Kenneth North repeatedly faced down his tormenters during his seven 
years at the Hanoi Hilton. North was often beaten and tortured; he 
endured guards jacking his bound arms behind his back until the 
shoulder joints split. He suffered through these torturous sessions and 
defied his captors through bouts of solitary confinement.
  North, the son of a Vernon mill worker, was released with 100 other 
POWs in August 1973 and was the first man off the plane on March 7 when 
he reunited with his family.
  General North's military decorations and awards include the Silver 
Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf 
cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' 
device and two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal 
with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart 
with oak leaf cluster and several unit citations.
  North was buried in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. During the ceremony, 
Air Force fighter jets streaked over Pleasant Hill Cemetery in a final 
salute. I now ask my colleagues to rise with me so that we too may 
honor Brigadier General Kenneth North, a true American hero.

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