[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


    Lieutenant Matthew Ira Lowe and Lieutenant Nathan Hollingsworth 
                                Williams

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to two dedicated Navy officers who were tragically 
killed in a training accident in my home State of California.
  LT Matthew Ira Lowe and LT Nathan Hollingsworth Williams died on 
April 6, 2011, after their F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed near the 
Lemoore Naval Air Station in central California. Lieutenants Lowe and 
Williams were assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-122, based at 
Lemoore Naval Air Station.
  LT Matthew Ira Lowe of Plantation, FL, had a lifelong passion for 
flying. He received an engineering degree from the University of 
Central Florida in 2001. While in college, he also earned his pilot's 
license. He later joined the Navy and received his commission through 
Officer Candidate School in February 2003. Most recently, Lieutenant 
Lowe served as an instructor, and had been training to become a pilot 
for the elite Blue Angels exhibition team.
  A decorated pilot who earned the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal 
and the National Defense Service Medal, Lieutenant Lowe will be 
remembered by those who served with him for his sense of humor and 
outgoing personality. Lieutenant Lowe is survived by his parents Ira 
and Pamela Lowe, and two elder siblings. He was 33 years old.
  A native of Oswego, NY, LT Nathan Hollingsworth Williams attended the 
University of Rochester on a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps 
scholarship. Upon graduating with honors in mathematics in 2004, he 
reported for duty at Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training 
where he earned his naval flight officer wings. Lieutenant Williams was 
deployed to Afghanistan, where he served aboard the U.S.S. Theodore 
Roosevelt, providing air support for U.S. ground troops. After 
returning from Afghanistan, Lieutenant Williams was chosen as a flight 
instructor at Lemoore Naval Air Station.
  For his service, Lieutenant Williams received a number of awards 
including two Presidential Air Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal 
with Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship 
Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. A dedicated Buffalo Bills 
fan, he will be remembered as a kind and caring person who was always 
willing to lend a hand to those in need. Lieutenant Williams is 
survived by his wife Meredith; his parents Alan and Gay Williams; and 
his brothers Jeffrey and Seth. He was 28 years old.
  Nothing can fully account for the loss suffered by the families of 
Lieutenants Lowe and Williams, and all those who loved them. But I hope 
they can take comfort in the knowledge that they will be forever 
honored and remembered by a grateful Nation.

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