[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES MICHAEL SPRAYBERRY

  (Mrs. ROBY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel 
James Michael Sprayberry of the United States Army.
  Raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, he joined the Army in Montgomery, 
Alabama, in 1967. Lieutenant Sprayberry was just 21 years old and 
serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam when, on April 25, 
1968, he engaged in extraordinary acts of heroism for which he was 
awarded the Medal of Honor.
  On that day, his company commander and many of his fellow soldiers 
were wounded and separated from the unit. When a daytime rescue attempt 
was deterred by entrenched enemy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Colonel 
Sprayberry organized and led a nighttime patrol to eliminate the enemy 
fire and rescue his fellow surrounded soldiers.
  When the patrol came under intense enemy machine-gun fire, he single-
handedly conducted multiple attacks against multiple enemy machine-gun 
bunkers and eliminated them one by one with hand grenades. After 
destroying bunkers, he was able to direct the isolated men to safety. 
The operation was a resounding success and resulted in the safe return 
of many fellow soldiers.
  It is for his conspicuous gallantry and indomitable spirit that I am 
proud to honor the actions of Lieutenant Colonel James Michael 
Sprayberry.

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