[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND BRAVERY OF JAMES A. CARTER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2015

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a 
very special constituent of mine, James A. Carter.
  James Carter was born on January 28, 1921, in Hannibal, Missouri, and 
passed away on February 22, 2015.
  On that infamous day in 1941, James was stationed at the Pearl Harbor 
military base in Hawaii as a machinist. As you already know, on 
December 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy launched a surprise attack 
on the U.S. Naval Fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor. This heinous act by 
the Japanese Empire struck a massive blow to our armed forces in the 
Pacific theater of operations, costing the lives of over 2,400 people.
  None could have anticipated the events that occurred that day, but 
even as fiery death rained down upon servicemen and civilians alike, 
the brave men and women of Pearl Harbor rose to meet the occasion. On 
that day, James himself, caring nothing for his own life or safety, 
swam time and time again through the raging inferno of burning oil 
which blanketed the surface of the harbor, dragging many back to safety 
on the shore. James sought no recognition for his actions that day, and 
never spoke of his valiant actions upon returning to civilian life.
  I raise my voice today to honor, in memorial, the life of a brave and 
humble man. I am deeply honored to recognize James Carter and his 
service to our nation. May his life be an example to us all.

                          ____________________