[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1770-E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DOUGLAS EDWARD DAHILL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of 
an Allen County hero, Douglas Edward Dahill, who died while bravely 
serving our country in Vietnam, on or about April 17, 1969.
  Doug joined the Army after graduating from Lima Senior High School, 
following in the military tradition of his grandfather, father, and 
uncle--all veterans.
  Shortly after his twentieth birthday, Doug and two fellow soldiers 
were dropped behind enemy lines on a reconnaissance mission in a dense 
northwest jungle of South Vietnam. On the mission's third day, his team 
came under severe enemy attack.
  For the next 10 years, Doug was listed as missing in action. Very 
recently, remains returned from Vietnam in 1991 were positively 
identified as Doug Dahill and his two colleagues from the recon team.
  At long last, Douglas Dahill will be laid to rest today in Arlington 
National Cemetery, bringing his family closure after more than four 
decades.
  On behalf of the United States Congress and the families of Ohio's 
Fourth District, I want to thank Specialist Doug Dahill and his family 
for the selfless service and sacrifice they gave to this, the greatest 
nation in history.
  I was moved by Doug's words, found in a portion of a letter he wrote 
to his family from Vietnam:

       I hope I haven't died in vain, but for a reason--the 
     American way of life. . . . A lot of young American boys, 
     rather men like myself, are dying in Vietnam now. Their 
     eulogy would be that they died for a reason and not in vain. 
     A job is being done and we're doing it. Sure, it's a dirty 
     job, but freedom doesn't come easily.

  Douglas Edward Dahill is an American hero who will never be 
forgotten. He will live forever in the hearts of every American he gave 
his life defending.

[[Page E1771]]



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