[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN GORDON ROSS NAKAGAWA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true American 
hero. Captain Gordon Ross Nakagawa was a career naval officer who 
completed his life journey with incredible dignity and grace on August 
23, 2011. He was just 77 years old. Gordon's golden spirit was admired 
by many and will be deeply missed. I count myself privileged to have 
known him and know that his memory will be with us for generations to 
come.
  Gordon was born on June 13, 1935 in Auburn, California. In 1941, 
Gordon, his parents Bunny and Harriet, and two brothers were sent to an 
internment camp at Tule Lake, California, and later to a farm labor 
camp in Caldwell, Idaho. In 1945, they returned to California where 
Gordon attended elementary school in Lincoln. There he first set eyes 
on his wife Jeanne. He graduated from UC Berkeley, where he served as 
the NROTC Midshipmen Battalion Commander.
  On February 7, 1958, Gordon received his commission as an ensign in 
the United States Navy. He was designated a Naval Aviator in August 
1959, earning the coveted Naval Aviation ``Wings of Gold.'' After 
receiving a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Naval 
Postgraduate School (NPS) in 1966, he was selected to fly Navy jets. He 
flew 185 combat missions in an A-6 Intruder. In December 1972, during 
Operation Linebacker II, his aircraft was struck down by enemy fire in 
North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese held Gordon as a prisoner of war at 
the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton'' until his release on March 28, 1973.
  Gordon's service in the Navy continued until September 1989. During 
his career, he helped develop tactics to protect carrier groups, taught 
at the United States Naval Academy, and coordinated all major design 
competitions for U.S. Naval Aviation. He ended his active duty career 
as Chair of Tactical Analysis at NPS. Gordon was awarded two Legions of 
Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Meritorious Service 
Medals, Distinguished Marksman (Rifle) Medal, Distinguished Pistol 
Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, and various other campaign, service, and 
individual awards.
  Active duty retirement did not end Gordon's public service career. He 
continued to educate our service members at NPS and served on the 
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board for over 8 years. He 
was an active member in numerous organizations including the Military 
Officers Association of America, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, 
the Marina Foundation, the Veterans Transition Center, and the Central 
Coast State Veterans Cemetery. His commitment to his community was 
honored by being named the 2004 Monterey County Veteran of the Year, 
and sharing the 2006 Marina Citizen of the Year with his wife.
  Gordon's life is a great American story. He was a hero who defended 
our nation with valor, an esteemed educator who shared his knowledge 
with generations of students, and he was a strong leader in the 
community who led by example. Above all, he was a devoted husband to 
Jeanne; a loving father to Gregory, Kathleen, and Steven; and a caring 
grandfather to Ryan, Graham, and Tait.
  Mr. Speaker, I speak on behalf of the whole House when I extend my 
deepest sympathies to the family of Captain Gordon Ross Nakagawa, and 
extend to them the gratitude of the nation.

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