[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WILLIAM JOSEPH OAKLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 26, 2015

  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember Private 
First Class William Joseph Oakley, the first casualty of the Vietnam 
War from Waterbury, Connecticut.
  At the age of 17, PFC Oakley enlisted in the United States Army. He 
was extremely proud to serve his country. On May 28, 1965, PFC Oakley 
was killed when two Army helicopters collided. He was only 18 years old 
and had served for less than a year.
  As we commemorate Memorial Day and remember all those who lost their 
lives while in service to our country, let us pause to think of PFC 
Oakley on the 50th anniversary of his death.
  This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the ground offensive in 
Vietnam. Over 58,000 names are written on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
Wall in Washington, DC. Thirty of these brave Americans, including PFC 
Oakley, called Waterbury home.
  The City of Waterbury and the Waterbury Veterans Memorial Committee 
will never forget the service and sacrifice of the men and women who 
died while serving in our nation's military throughout our history. I 
would like to take this opportunity to thank the Waterbury Veterans 
Memorial Committee for all they do to honor our veterans.

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