[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 39 (Monday, March 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LOREN DUKE ABDALLA FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY 
                          DURING WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRADLEY S. SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 18, 2013

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of 
Loren Duke Abdalla. Duke is the great-grandson of Chief Running Bull of 
the Yankton Sioux. He enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1943, and for his 
courageous service, Duke earned a Purple Heart and a rank of Corporal.
   In September of 1944, at the Battle of Peleliu, Duke's machine gun 
team was shelled. Duke lost his machine gunner and two ammo carriers, 
while himself taking shrapnel that left him with holes in both legs. 
Rather than being sent home, Duke recovered and then quickly was 
promoted to leader of 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, A Company.
   Beginning April of 1945, Duke and A Company began an assault on 
Okinawa. In early May, Duke demonstrated true bravery in a series of 
heroic maneuvers and actions. Over the course of the day, Duke carried 
a wounded fellow Marine to safety and successfully neutralized six 
machine gun nests, clearing the way for U.S. forces to advance. Duke 
lost his entire squad after clearing four of the nests, but he 
continued on and cleared the final two by himself.
   Duke and his fellow Marines fought valiantly and withstood fierce 
counterattacks from enemy forces. Their commitment and selfless 
dedication to their country was emblematic of the effort put forth by 
``The Greatest Generation'' during the world's time of greatest need.
   I thank Loren Duke Abdalla for his service to this nation. We all 
owe a great debt of gratitude to Duke and to all those brave men and 
women who sacrifice so much for the good of this country.

                          ____________________