[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6051-S6052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
                      HONORING WILLIAM E. SCHULZE

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor William E. 
Schulze, a veteran of World War II.
  It is my honor to share the story of William's service in World War 
II, because no story of bravery--and especially not one from our 
``greatest generation''--should ever be forgotten.
  Bill was born in Milwaukee, WI. A Golden Glove Boxing Champion, Bill 
was working for the Pacific Bridge Company at Pearl Harbor as a welder 
when our Nation came under attack on December 7, 1941. Bill soon joined 
the Navy and put his skills to use in the

[[Page S6052]]

302nd Construction Battalion--known as the Sea-Bees. Bill and his unit 
went from island to island across the Pacific building floating bridges 
from cargo ships to landing areas so that supplies could reach American 
troops onshore. When one mission was complete, Bill and the Sea-Bees 
packed up their bridges and moved to the next island in support of 
America's victories in the Pacific. Bill supported U.S. troops in Guam, 
Saipan, New Guinea and the Philippines, just to name a few. Without 
Bill's efforts, our troops would have been left without needed arms and 
supplies as they battled Japan's Imperial Army.
  Bill earned the medals we will present today for his service during 
World War II, but I would be remiss not to mention his service in 
support of veterans long after the war concluded.
  After World War II, Bill headed back to Wisconsin, started a family, 
and worked for 45 years as an engineer and a welder.
  After his wife's passing, his love for the outdoors brought him to 
Billings where he remarried and made the lives of his fellow veterans a 
little easier.
  Mind you, Bill was getting up in years himself by this point, but 
that didn't stop him from volunteering as a driver for Disabled 
American Veterans. In fact, Bill's last award before retiring once 
again was for driving more than 10,000 miles, taking veterans back and 
forth to their medical appointments all over Montana.
  But today we honor Bill's heroic service during World War II.
  After his service, Bill Schulze did not receive all the medals he 
earned from the Navy. Earlier this month, it was my honor to finally 
present William's widow Betty with the American Campaign Medal, the 
Combat Action Ribbon, and the Sharp Shooter Rifle Ribbon.
  It was also my honor to present the Navy Discharge Button, the 
Honorable Service Lapel Pin, and an additional Bronze Star to the 
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.
  These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of 
true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  They are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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