[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 154 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE PASSING OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR EDWARD F. 
                                BORUCKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2015

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to speak about 
the passing of one of western Massachusetts' heroes, World War II 
veteran and survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, Edward F. Borucki.
  Edward was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Polish immigrants and 
worked as a machinist apprentice until he decided to enlist in the Navy 
in 1940. After going through training in Newport, Rhode Island, he was 
shipped to the Pacific and assigned to the light cruiser, the USS 
Helena. He moved through the ranks to Yeoman Third Class aboard the 
vessel and worked in the forward engine room. On the morning of 
December 7, 1941, Edward was running to his station when the first 
torpedo hit the forward engine room and knocked him into a bulkhead. He 
was only thirty seconds from being in the section that was destroyed. 
He helped seal the section of the ship off and help in anyway he could. 
After the attack was over, Edward helped carry his wounded and dead 
shipmates up out of the section and to the hospital.
  After the USS Helena was transferred back to California for repairs, 
Edward was transferred to the USS Rockaway and then preceded to attend 
various training schools. In 1944, Edward married his late wife, Viola 
Mul of Southampton. A year later, he left the Navy with the rank of 
Chief Petty Officer. Edward was able to take advantage of the GI Bill 
to get a business degree at American International College in 
Springfield, MA and a Masters degree at Boston University. Starting in 
1955, Edward taught at Chicopee High School and later Chicopee 
Comprehensive High School until he retired.
  Edward never forgot about his experiences in the war and the need to 
show appreciation to veterans. He was a fixture at a multitude of 
events honoring veterans around western Massachusetts. He worked for 
ten years as a veteran's agent in Southampton, helping veterans work 
through what services are available to them. In the early 2000s, Edward 
led an effort to get a bridge on Route 5 over the Manhan River 
dedicated to all those who lost their lives and the survivors of the 
Pearl Harbor attack. He commented during the campaign to express why 
the bridge should be named for the Pearl Harbor veterans, ``War is 
hell. We who were in it never want to see another again.'' Lawmakers in 
Massachusetts gladly listened to his request and in 2005, the Pearl 
Harbor Veterans Memorial Bridge.
  Mr. Speaker, Edward Borucki was a fine example of the men and women 
that put their lives on the line for our freedom against the threat of 
tyranny during the Second World War and who served their community 
selflessly afterward. I would like to extend my condolences to his 
family, including his seven sons, and let them know that the thoughts 
of a grateful nation are with them.

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