[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM RAYMOND PROM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KEITH J. ROTHFUS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the exemplary military 
service of Lance Corporal William Raymond Prom. Lance Corporal Prom 
gave his life in service to our nation in Vietnam.
  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently renamed Pittsburgh's 31st 
Street Bridge the William Raymond Prom Memorial Bridge in a fitting 
tribute to his sacrifice.
  Lance Corporal Prom began his tour of duty in the Vietnam War on June 
13, 1968, when he was twenty years old. He served as a Machine Gun 
Squad Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third 
Marine Division.
  On February 9, 1969, Lance Corporal Prom was participating in 
Operation Taylor Common near An Hoa, Vietnam when his platoon came 
under intense fire, wounding many. Without concern for his own safety, 
Lance Corporal Prom provided cover fire while others administered vital 
first aid to his fellow Marines.
  Soon afterwards, his platoon came under attack again. A wounded Lance 
Corporal Prom returned fire, coming to the aid of a fellow Marine who 
was critically wounded. Unable to effectively return fire because of 
his wounds, Lance Corporal Prom courageously advanced, in full view of 
the enemy, to direct other Marines until he was killed. His heroic 
actions inspired his fellow Marines to launch a successful assault that 
crushed the enemy.
  For his exemplary service and heroic sacrifice, Lance Corporal Prom 
received the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam 
Campaign Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, we name our buildings, bridges, and monuments after 
those who have served and sacrificed for our nation in extraordinary 
ways, and the William Raymond Prom Memorial Bridge is a fitting tribute 
to one of these courageous Americans. I join all Western Pennsylvanians 
in honoring Lance Corporal William Raymond Prom, a Marine who went 
above and beyond the call of duty in giving his life for his fellow 
Marines and his country.

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