[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1845
                     HONORING COLONEL JAMES FLEMING

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic efforts of a 
man from Manvel, Texas--an American hero, Colonel James Fleming of the 
United States Air Force.
  Colonel Fleming was the pilot of a helicopter in the 20th Special 
Operations Squadron. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in 
action on November 26, 1968, in Vietnam.
  On that day, Colonel Fleming was ordered to rescue a six-man Special 
Forces patrol that was pinned down by enemy fighters. Already aware of 
one downed helicopter in the area, Colonel Fleming dropped his 
helicopter into the combat zone. Despite a failed first attempt and low 
fuel, Colonel Fleming did what every member of the U.S. military is 
trained to do--he left no man behind. He came back and hovered with an 
open cargo door while his helicopter was being raked by enemy fire. The 
six Green Berets jumped into his helicopter with the enemy 10 feet 
behind. Thanks to his heroic efforts, the six Green Berets made it out 
alive.
  I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Colonel James 
Fleming.

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