[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 145 (Thursday, September 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1732-E1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              UNITED STATES ARMY CORPORAL EDUARDO PEDREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2011

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor United States Army 
Corporal Eduardo Pedregon, who tragically went missing during the 
Korean War.
  In 1947, Eduardo Pedregon left his hometown of San Elizario, Texas, 
when he was only 17 years old. He wanted to serve his country, but, 
because he was not yet old enough to enlist, he convinced his mother to 
sign his enlistment papers granting him parental permission to join the 
Army. In 1950, he was deployed to fight the spread of communism on the 
Korean peninsula.
  Corporal Pedregon's unit moved across the 38th Parallel into what is 
now North Korea where they fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. In 
the harsh, mountainous terrain, it was a brutal fight in the freezing 
cold--as low as 35 degrees below zero as the winds swept in from 
Siberia. Weapons malfunctioned, and the roads were often impassable, as 
they were encircled by 60,000 Chinese troops.
  The U.S. forces were eventually able to retreat, but not before 
suffering massive casualties--including Corporal Eduardo Pedregon, who 
was last seen on November 30, 1950.
  Corporal Pedregon's family hoped and prayed that he would be found. 
This spring--over sixty years later--Corporal Pedregon's family learned 
that the remains of their lost family member were finally identified 
using the latest technology and DNA provided by his late mother.
  Today as the House of Representatives convenes, Corporal Pedregon's 
remains are returning home. Our community will join his family to honor 
him at the San Elizario Chapel on Saturday, and he will be interred in 
this nation's most hallowed ground on October 6, 2011. He will be laid 
to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with his brothers and sisters in 
arms who, like him, made the ultimate sacrifice. I can think of no 
greater honor to give to an American hero.
  As a fellow combat veteran, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices that 
soldiers like Corporal Pedregon and his family make in defense of our 
great nation. The Pedregon family sacrificed more than most; of the 11 
children in the family, 5 served in the armed forces, including Eduardo 
and his brother, Roberto, who fought in the Korean War.
  These brave men and women deserve the honor and respect they have 
earned by risking, and even giving, their lives to defend our freedom. 
We will continue to keep faith with the families of all soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and marines and never leave a service member behind.

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