[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN CHARLES RUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARTHA ROBY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday March 25, 2015

  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Charles 
Rush, an exceptional Alabamian who set an example of leadership for all 
to follow. His lifetime of dedication and service stands as a monument 
to the exemplary man he was, and his gallantry in battle continues to 
inspire future generations.
   Rush was born in Greensboro, a small farming town in west Alabama. 
When he was seven, his family moved to Dothan, Alabama where he went to 
elementary and high school.
   After completing high school at the Gulf Coast Military Academy in 
Gulfport, Mississippi, Rush was awarded an appointment to the U. S. 
Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Graduating in 1941, he was then 
assigned duty aboard a destroyer and stationed at Pearl Harbor. Later, 
Rush volunteered for submarine duty where he completed a total of seven 
patrols with the USS Thresher and the USS Billfish.
   In 1943, three enemy destroyers attacked the Billfish, bombarding it 
with depth charges for twelve hours. During this terrifying attack, the 
ship's commanders became unable to ensure the safety of the submarine. 
Then Lieutenant Rush took control of the situation, outsmarted the 
enemy destroyers, and helped lead the submarine and all of the men 
aboard to safety. Nearly sixty years after the attack, Rush was awarded 
the Navy Cross in 2002--an honor insisted upon by his fellow crew 
members of the USS Billfish on board during the attack.
   Captain Rush was a friend, mentor, respected colleague, and 
gentleman to many, and will be remembered for his courage and 
integrity. Captain Rush passed on February 27th, 2015, just shy of his 
96th birthday. He is survived by LaVonne, his wife of 39 years, 
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a host of other 
family members.

                          ____________________