[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ERWIN J. KORCZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2011

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Erwin J. 
Korczynski, a talented pilot and patriot from Chicago, Illinois who 
died on January 5, 2011 of prostate cancer.
  From an early age, Captain Korczynski exhibited the success and 
commitment to public service that would define his life. Born in 1942 
to first generation Polish American parents, he achieved the rank of 
Life Scout for the Boy Scouts of America, lettered 6 times in Track and 
Field at Lane Technical High School, and was a member of the famous 
Chicago Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps. He also attended Northern 
Illinois University and entered the priesthood at St. Ambrose Seminary 
in Davenport, Iowa--a calling that he would later selflessly leave to 
join the Marine Corps.
  Even in his early years, Captain Korczynski showed a passion for 
aviation. From the age of 15, he and his twin brother Edwin took flying 
lessons and graduated with their flying licenses at the age of 18. He 
joined the Marine Attack Squadron, VMA 131 in 1963 during the 
escalation of the Vietnam War. During the course of the war, he rose to 
the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1969.
  Following his tenure with the Marines, Captain Korczynski flew 
commercial planes during the golden age of commercial aviation. 
Impressively, over 25,000 hours of flight time he maintained a spotless 
record while at Eastern Airlines and several other airlines around the 
world.
  Using his flying talent to again serve our country, Captain 
Korczynski volunteered from 1990 to 1991 during the Persian Gulf War. 
As a pilot in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), he flew civilian 
aircraft to transport troops and supplies necessary to liberate Kuwait. 
Captain Korczynski was an honorably discharged Marine and a reservist 
at the time, but was not activated during the conflict. He volunteered 
to serve anyway, showing his patriotism and dedication to his country.
  In his later years, Captain Korczynski trained and mentored young 
pilots. Certified as a commercial airline check airman and flight 
instructor, he instructed young pilots at the Gulfstream Flight Academy 
for Gulfstream Airlines based in Miami, Florida. He left an everlasting 
impression on these young pilots who would later recall these stories 
of his Marine Corps days, commercial airline career, and world travels 
as ``Erwinisms.''
  Our country owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Korczynski 
for his tireless defense of our country during two major conflicts. In 
neither case was he obligated to don a uniform. In voluntarily joining 
the Marines and airlifting 30 years later, he illustrated his 
commitment to freedom and democracy around the world. Simply put, the 
United States is a better country because of him. I extend my heartfelt 
condolences to Captain Korczynski's twin brother, Edwin, wife 
Henrietta, daughters Elizabeth and Kiersten, sons Ryan and Christian, 
and granddaughter Emmalyn. He will always be remembered as a great man 
and a great American.

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