[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E439-E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF CLIFFORD O. POUNDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2011

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Clifford O. 
Pounds of Emory, Texas, who passed away on July 31, 2010 at the age of 
eighty-nine. My staff and I are saddened that we were unable to obtain 
a Purple Heart medal for Mr. Pounds. He is among an unknown number of 
veterans who sustained serious injuries on the battlefields of the 
world, yet did not receive the medal--some because a tragic fire at the 
St. Louis, Missouri National Personnel Records Center burned 80% of the 
veterans' records and thereby erased the proof of them having earned 
the proper award--or some, like Clifford Pounds, who didn't complain of 
serious injuries sustained in battle, especially during the battle for 
control of North Africa against a German commander dubbed the ``Desert 
Fox'' who led the then great and feared ``Afrika Korps''--one of the 
greatest battles of WWII.
  Clifford was born to John Clovis Pounds and Mary Oneida Pounds on 
September 10, 1921 in Yantis, Texas. He attended school at Emory High 
School before attending the Sheet Metal Workers Trade School in Corpus 
Christi. The skills he developed there were something he would continue 
to use for the benefit of others his entire life.

[[Page E440]]

  Mr. Pounds was inducted into the Army Air Force on September 24, 1942 
at the age of 22. A decorated World War II veteran, he served his 
country with the 34th Depot Repair Squadron where his talent as a sheet 
metal worker was used to repair bullet ridden planes.
  The records reflect that Mr. Pounds fought alongside his Squadron in 
the Rome-Arno, Naples-Foggia, Po Valley and Southern France battles and 
campaigns. He also spent several months in North Africa fighting the 
German Afrika Korps commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. While 
serving in North Africa, Mr. Pounds suffered wounds from a German bomb 
that landed and exploded approximately twenty feet from him. Large 
pieces of hot flak imbedded into his back, and his hip was crushed 
resulting in a permanent limp. His family gave us these direct 
quotations--made by Mr. Pounds--and we have no reason to doubt the 
veracity of his description of his wounds, nor his reason for not 
obtaining medical information.
  Following medical treatment by a British doctor, he served three 
additional years before being honorably discharged. Mr. Pounds was 
among the brave and compassionate soldiers who stormed the Nazi 
Concentration camps, rescuing and liberating their victims. In 
addition, he was also responsible for guarding German prisoners, and 
rounding up the German citizens surrounding those camps.
  Upon time of discharge in October of 1945, I am told that when asked 
if he received any wounds, Mr. Pounds humbly declined to disclose his 
injuries. He considered his own wounds sustained at the beginning of 
his military service insubstantial in light of what he witnessed in 
war--comrades who lost their lives, and the atrocities he observed at 
the concentration camps. War decorations awarded to Mr. Pounds include 
the Good Conduct Metal and the EAMET Ribbon (``Europe-Africa-Middle 
Eastern Campaign''). However, because Mr. Pounds did not complain about 
his war injuries, and no medical records from the British doctor who 
operated on his back exist, Mr. Pounds has yet to receive a much-
deserved Purple Heart. My staff and I attempted to acquire first-hand 
accounts from fellow soldiers who could formally verify his wounds. We 
were unable to contact the veterans Mr. Pounds served with from Emory, 
or his comrades he fought alongside, due to the fact that they preceded 
him in death.
  On March 16, 1973 Clifford O. Pounds married Evelyn Mayfield in 
Corpus Christi. A devoted husband and family man, he celebrated thirty-
seven years of marriage with his wife, during which time they were 
blessed with six children.
   Clifford Pounds was also known as a man of deep faith and quiet 
leadership. He was a member of the Church of Christ, taught bible study 
classes, and could be found daily reading his bible in his family's 
dining room every morning. Staying ``behind the scenes,'' he preferred 
to quietly help those in need rather than seek out credit for his 
actions. If an elderly or disabled person needed home repairs, he would 
readily offer his services until the repair was complete. It was also 
not uncommon for him to answer a 1:00 or 2:00 phone call in the morning 
just to be a sympathetic ear for someone needing to talk.
  Clifford O. Pounds is preceded in death by his sisters, Joy Sickles 
and Mary Jo Hart, and his son, Russell Cole. He is survived by his wife 
Evelyn; their children Sheron McCain, Dell Pounds, Donna Draudt, Lisa 
Preuss, and Mike Pounds; as well as seven grandchildren and eight 
great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Pounds was such a kind and deserving man and veteran, that I was 
proud to search and search for the proof required, and am so 
disappointed that I am still working for his Purple Heart award.
  Clifford Pounds was an American patriot and man of faith who lived 
with honor and integrity. He had a compassionate heart for those less 
fortunate, and gave generously of himself in all aspects of his life. 
It has pained me to know how entitled Mr. Pounds was to receive his 
Purple Heart, but I am proud to have gone the last mile trying to get 
the award to one so deserving. I am personally acquainted with the 
Pounds family, and we all know that although I was unable to get 
testimony for presentation for the Purple Heart, that on the 31st of 
July, 2010--the date of his death--we said goodbye to a great American, 
a great patriot, and a loving husband, father and grandparent to those 
who loved him. God, and those buddies he served with, know of his 
sacrifices. Though he will probably never receive a Purple Heart award, 
he proudly walks those streets paved with gold, and he will always be 
remembered as a fiercely loyal soldier, a true and loving family man, 
and a Red, White and Blue American that we will never forget. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask my colleagues present today to join me in honoring this 
unsung American hero, Mr. Clifford O. Pounds.

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