[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSE ELGUEZABAL

 Mr. WALSH. Mr. President, I wish to honor Jose Elguezabal, a 
veteran of the U.S. Army.
  It is my honor to share the story of Jose's service, because no 
veteran's story should ever go unrecognized.
  Jose was born in Eagle Pass, TX, and served our Nation during World 
War II. Unfortunately, most of the records of his service were 
destroyed in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.
  Jose told his daughter Anna how his platoon came under fire, killing 
every member but Jose. Jose was captured by enemy forces and spent 6 
months as a prisoner of war in France.
  When Jose returned home, he and his wife of 63 years had 10 
children--9 girls and 1 boy. His children said he was a great father 
and a true patriot who flew an American flag and a Prisoner of War flag 
outside of his house every day until he passed away.
  His family pieced Jose's military service record together to finally 
track down the medals Jose earned through his service.
  We were joined by Jose's daughter Anna and her husband John, who 
recently retired after spending 40 years serving Malmstrom Air Force 
Base as a firefighter.
  It was my honor, along with the commanding officer at Malmstrom Air 
Force Base, Col. Robert Stanley, to present to Anna the medals that 
long ago should have been presented to her father: The Bronze Star 
Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign 
Medal & Bronze Star Attachment, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman 
Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button, and Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar.
  These decorations are important tokens of Jose's heroism. But these 
decorations are also powerful reminders that we should never let a 
veteran's service go forgotten.
  These medals were presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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