[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]




   HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAJOR STEWART, U.S. AIR FORCE, RETIRED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN R. CARTER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2015

  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant 
Colonel Major Stewart, U.S. Air Force, Retired. It is my great honor to 
highlight the life of this humble American.
  Lt. Col. Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corp in August of 1941 and 
served throughout the duration of World War II. Millions of Americans 
answered the call and sacrificed when our Allies were in trouble; Lt. 
Col. Stewart was no exception. As a bomber pilot, he completed 70 
missions while serving in the Pacific Fleet; 39 of these in the 
legendary B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Lt. Col. Stewart later transitioned to 
the B-24; it was in this aircraft that Colonel Stewart would lead a 
decisive mission to attack a key enemy oil refinery.
  The strategic oil-refinery at Balikpapen, Borneo produced over thirty 
percent of Japan's wartime fuel supply and was heavily defended by 
enemy fighters and anti-aircraft weapons. On October 14, 1944, Lt. Col. 
Stewart led a formation of dangerously overloaded B-24 bombers on a 
daylight bombing run in what was one of the longest flights ever 
undertaken in the Southwest Pacific. Dedication to mission enabled him 
to stay the course and place bombs on target despite the damage his 
plane experienced on approach from enemy fire. For his heroism and 
extraordinary achievement, Lt. Col. Stewart was awarded the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest honors the military 
bestows.
  I know Lt. Col. Stewart wouldn't boast of his service during WWII, a 
trying time for our Nation, yet it is his type of heroic actions that 
led to the defeat of the Axis allies and the evil they spread. Lt. Col. 
Stewart's achievements didn't stop there. He was awarded the Asiatic-
Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with four Bronze Stars for the New 
Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Northern Solomon, and Mandated Islands 
Campaigns.
  Upon return to reserve duty in November of 1945, Lt. Col. Stewart 
maintained airplanes at Tinker Air Force Base. Yearning to give greater 
service to his community, he attended school and became a math teacher. 
After retiring from both the U.S. Air Force Reserves and a teaching 
career in California, he made his way to Texas. Today Lt. Col. Stewart 
and his wife live in Cedar Park where he was recently presented a key 
to the City by Cedar Park Mayor and City Council at the WWII Veteran's 
Recognition Ceremony. We are honored to have such a humble hero in our 
midst.
  These few meager words cannot fully express the gratitude I share for 
Lt. Col. Stewart and the brave service he has given. I join his family, 
friends, and loved ones in deep appreciation for his service to the 
Nation. May we all follow the example of bravery, heroism, and humility 
he displays everyday as part of the greatest generation that ever 
lived.

                          ____________________