[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FOUR U.S. AVIATORS FROM THE GREAT WORLD WAR I

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2015

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago, the United States 
came--not for the last time--to the free world's aid, as Europe 
descended into a bloody war that would ultimately end the Age of 
Empires. Much has been written about the First World War, its impact on 
subsequent history, and the future trajectory of the Western world. But 
what are often forgotten are the stories and sacrifices of brave 
individuals.
  According to Blaine Pardoe's ``Terror of the Autumn Skies,'' the 
average life expectancy of a new United States WWI pilot was just 19 
days. These four men defied the odds and boldly fought their way 
through the war. These men deserve special tribute. They are all young 
Americans who came to the aid of our allies and helped make the world 
more secure and prosperous.
  All four were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our 
Nation's highest military honor, and yet they are not household names. 
That is unfortunate.
  We must remember our warriors from 100 years ago because the greatest 
tragedy of war is to be forgotten.


                    First Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr.

  Known as the ``Arizona Balloon Buster,'' Lieutenant Luke was born 
into a family of nine siblings in Phoenix, growing up a keen sportsman 
and bare-knuckle boxer--a pursuit that would help prepare him for the 
fight to come. Lt. Luke enlisted in the Aviation Section of the U.S. 
Signal Corps in 1917 and received his training in the Great State of 
Texas before being deployed to the Western Front. Perhaps reflecting 
his childhood sports prowess, Lt. Luke went on to become one of an 
elite number of ``fighter aces,'' and in September 1918, he 
successfully completed a record personal campaign against German 
observation balloons and aircraft, earning him his nickname. He died in 
combat on 29 September 1918. He was 21.


                     Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker

  Eddie Rickenbacker always had a knack for driving. He competed in the 
Indianapolis 500 four times as a racecar driver before becoming 
America's most successful WWI fighter ace. Born in Ohio to Swiss-German 
parents, Captain Rickenbacker had a personal connection to the turmoil 
engulfing Europe and even tried to join the Allied cause before the 
United States entered the war. With 26 aerial victories to his name, 
Captain Rickenbacker is widely considered one of the most accomplished 
military aviators of his generation. He was also one of the hardest-
working, clocking up a total of 300 combat hours. Rickenbacker was 
lucky enough to return home after the war and went on to become an 
airline executive and advisor to the U.S. Air Force effort in WWII. He 
died in Columbus in 1973 aged 82.


             Chief Machinist's Mate Francis E. Ormsbee, Jr.

  Born and raised in Rhode Island, Frank Ormsbee, Jr., was not even yet 
a pilot when he conducted the brave rescue attempt that would earn him 
a Congressional Medal of Honor. After being motivated as a patriot to 
enlist in the Navy in 1917, the following year, as an aircrew member 
stationed at Pensacola, Florida, Ormsbee witnessed a plane go into a 
tailspin and crash less than a mile out from his position. The young 
Navy recruit jumped overboard and swam to the wreck, partially 
extricating the gunner and making a number of attempts to save his 
life. While the rescue was unsuccessful, Ormsbee's heroism was 
extraordinary. He died in a plane crash two decades later at the age of 
44.


                    Ensign Charles Hazeltine Hammann

  In addition to his congressional medal, Charles Hammann's service has 
been memorialized by two Naval ships named in his honor. Originally 
from Baltimore, Hammann joined the Naval Reserve in 1917. Less than 12 
months later, the young naval aviator found himself flying a Macchi M.5 
seaplane off the Austro-Hungarian coast when his colleague and 
compatriot Ens. George M. Ludlow was shot down. Despite his aircraft 
being deemed suitable for one person, Ensign Hammann dove to the water 
and pulled his fellow American onboard, saving his life amid danger of 
enemy fire from Austrian planes. He was killed on duty in Virginia on 
14 June 1919. He was 27.
  All four of these brave Americans, two of them barely more than boys, 
exemplify the very best in our fine tradition of military service. As 
the world reflects on the Great War on the occasion of its centenary, 
it is my hope that we remember the names and stories of these heroic 
individuals who risked or, indeed, gave their lives in service of this 
Nation.
  The boys of the Great War were the fathers of America's Greatest 
Generation. Their efforts cannot and will not be forgotten.
  And that's just the way it is.

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