[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR PRIVATE FLOYD RAGSDALE

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                        HON. ROBERT T. SCHILLING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. SCHILLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a brave warfighter, 
Mr. Floyd D. Ragsdale. Mr. Ragsdale was born on September 9, 1925, in 
Waterloo, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in December 1943 and went 
through basic training and advanced unit training at Camp Shelby, 
Mississippi. In October of 1944, Mr. Ragsdale was sent to Europe and 
assigned to the 424th Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division--a 
division that was known as the ``Golden Lions.'' Mr. Ragsdale 
participated in combat operations in Northern France, the Rhineland 
Campaign, and the Ardennes.
  For his bravery and diligence, Mr. Ragsdale received the National 
Service Defense Medal, the European Theater of Operations ribbon with 
three bronze stars, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the World War II 
Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
  Mr. Ragsdale has earned yet another medal. After 66 years it is my 
honor to present the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Belgium 
during World War II to Mr. Ragsdale. This is the fourth-highest combat 
award the U.S. Armed Forces has and is given to an individual for 
bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service.
  I am also privileged to see Mr. Ragsdale receive the Belgian 
Fourragere for his service during the Battle of the Bulge in defense of 
liberty. The Belgian Fourragere is a military award given by the 
Belgium government and is a braided cord. It is considered one of the 
top awards.
  We are very lucky to have had dedicated warfighters like Mr. Ragsdale 
in our Army. Our country owes him and those like him a great debt of 
gratitude for the sacrifices he and others made for us.

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