[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PAUL WALBORN

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Paul Walborn, 
a veteran of Vietnam.
  Paul, on behalf of all Montanans and all Americans, I stand to say 
``thank you'' for your service to this Nation.
  It is my honor to share the story of Paul Walborn's sacrifice in 
Vietnam, because no story of heroism should ever fall through the 
cracks.
  Paul joined the Navy in December of 1963. He was an Electrician's 
Mate, based on a landing craft. From Coronado, CA, he flew to Japan. On 
May 5, 1965, one of Paul's first assignments was to be part of a convoy 
from Okinawa, Japan to Vietnam. Paul was part of the third wave that 
took Marine Corps artillery equipment to the Chu Lai beach. 
Intelligence reports were unclear whether Viet Cong forces would meet 
them on the beach.
  From Chu Lai, Paul went to Da Nang where he unloaded Navy and 
Merchant Marine equipment. His boat then made several trips up the 
Perfume River to deliver equipment to support the war effort.
  When Paul returned to America, he wanted to get back to normal life. 
His DD-214 form was correct but the Navy had no record of him serving 
in Vietnam, even though he unloaded cargo onto Vietnamese beaches.
  He says there was just too much going on in 1967 for the Navy to 
worry about getting his paperwork processed correctly.
  Earlier this month, in the presence of his family, it was my honor to 
finally present to Paul the National Defense Service Medal, and the 
Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star.
  I also presented to Paul the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, 
and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with the 1960 device.
  These four decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful 
symbols of true heroism. Sacrifice. And dedication to service.
  These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

                          ____________________