[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1702-E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF PAUL T. O'DOWD, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AMI BERA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2015

  Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant 
Colonel Paul T. O'Dowd, Jr.
  Colonel O'Dowd was a father, husband, teacher, and American hero 
whose life was dedicated to service. After graduating high school in 
San Francisco, he joined the Marine Corps, fighting for his country in 
the Pacific Theater of World War II as a tail gunner on B-52 aircraft. 
Upon his return, he attended the University of San Francisco and was 
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.
  In 1949, Paul volunteered for active duty and was stationed in 
Washington. When fighting in Korea broke out, he was assigned as 
forward observer in the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1951, Paul was 
captured by North Korean forces. Declared killed in action, he was held 
and tortured for 938 days. After nearly three years, he was released. 
For his meritorious conduct in captivity, Paul was awarded the Bronze 
Star.
  His service in the Army did not end after his ordeal. Paul continued 
to work for his country throughout the Cold War. He was stationed in 
Germany for three years and advised the Republic of China and the 
Chinese National Army, earning the recognitions of ``Good Man of Good 
Deeds'' and the Medal of Army Brilliance. For his service to his 
country, Paul O'Dowd was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the UN 
Service Medal, the Air Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
  Paul was a dad, a teacher, a husband, and an inspiration to many. He 
was a man who served his country and his family faithfully and 
fearlessly, and he will be missed.

               ``American Hero, Former POW, Remembered''

                         [From the Seoul Times]

       For those who knew him he was Paul, ``Digger,'' ``The Old 
     Man,'' ``Dad,'' and ``Friend'' but others have said ``he was 
     an inspiration to keep the faith between brothers in arms.'' 
     A True American Hero.
       Dateline: Arlington National Cemetery. Dec. 3, 3:00 p.m. 
     Full Military Honors. An honor guard marches, the band plays, 
     as the caisson passes with flagged draped coffin to grave 
     side.
       Laid to rest and Flag folded, the volley fired, that let 
     all present know that a hero has died, Taps plays the last 
     time. He will receive the Medal of Army Brilliance, A Class 
     from the Republic of China (Taiwan) for service to their 
     defense.
       His life was one of service to his country and community. 
     As an educator with two master's degrees,'' he said. ``He and 
     Judy broke the norm with a marriage lasting 67 years.'' A 
     Vets Veteran always helping others who had served. Making 
     sure they received the benefits of their service both in the 
     United States and overseas.
       Paul T. O'Dowd Jr. was born in San Francisco Oct. 18, 1924, 
     the son of Paul O'Dowd Sr. and Charlotta Belle Boudreaux 
     O'Dowd. Grew up there and graduated from Lowell High School.
       After graduation Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps for the 
     duration, plus six months, during WWII and as a heavy machine 
     gunner in the Marine Air Wing as tail gunner on B25's, he 
     participated in four combat operations in the Pacific 
     (Solomons, Leyte, Bismarck Archipelago, and Treasury 
     Bougainville).
       After the war, he attended the University of San Francisco 
     under the G.I. Bill. In June of 1948 he was commissioned as 
     an Army Reserve Second Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery.
       When the Soviets denied Americans access to Berlin in early 
     1949, Paul volunteered for active duty and was assigned to 
     the 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division 
     (ID), at Fort Lewis, Washington.
       Shortly after the Korean War started, the 2nd Division was 
     alerted for movement to Korea. Paul was transferred to ``C'' 
     Battery, 15th Field Artillery as a forward observer.
       From Pusan parameter to the breakout and all the way north 
     and back south again supporting the Division and the units 
     they supported.

[[Page E1703]]

       In mid-February 1951 he was captured and held POW for 938 
     days. All the while the US Army had him declared KIA without 
     a body. Over and over again he was isolated and beaten and 
     put in solitary confinement for defying them.
       The last to cross the bridge of no return, officially 
     repatriated on 6 September 1953 two days after they closed 
     down the POW reception station from operation ``Big Switch.''
       At 5'10" and only 89 lbs. he was truly at deaths door. 
     Arrested, as he was not on any POW rosters, Paul was taken to 
     Tokyo for interrogation, he proved himself and was recognized 
     by Officers.
       He went to school with other POW's having stood up against 
     the torture and indoctrination of the Red Chinese and North 
     Korean communist propaganda.
       He was released, transferred stateside and spent more than 
     six months at Letterman Army Hospital as a patient 
     recuperating. He was then assigned as an assistant professor 
     of military science in a ROTC program at the University of 
     San Francisco.
       While in this position, 1st Lt. O'Dowd was decorated by 
     Major General William F. Dean with the Bronze Star for his 
     meritorious achievements and conduct while a prisoner of war. 
     Very rarely are POWS decorated for their actions while a 
     prisoner.
       On the Speakers Bureau; Paul would speak to groups about 
     the brainwashing that occurred in the communists POW camps.
       During the Cold War Captain O'Dowd was stationed in Germany 
     for three and a half years as a Nuclear Weapons Employment 
     Officer, working in an Honest John Missile Battalion and 
     later with a 280mm Gun Battalion.
       He also spent three years as an advisor to the Chinese 
     National Army on the island of Taiwan. (MAAG) While in Taiwan 
     in 1966, Major O'Dowd also received an award from the 
     Republic of China for ``Good Man of Good Deeds,'' the highest 
     honor in that country.
       He stopped and rescued victims trapped in a burning 
     building without considering his own safety and assisted in 
     putting out the fire.
       LTC O'Dowd received many medals and commendations for his 
     military and civilian service; some are: two Bronze Stars 
     with V device for Valor, a Purple Heart, the National Defense 
     Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal 
     (Korea), The Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and The 
     Legion of Merit. Chinese: Good Man of Good Deeds.
       Teacher and educator, a scholar, a soldier, a good 
     representative of the American way of life, and a family man; 
     Paul was the real deal, a straight shooter and a True 
     American Hero.
       Having lived a long life, most of it in service to our 
     country, to his fellow service members, and veterans, Paul 
     O'Dowd died July 27, 2015 in his home in California at the 
     age of 90.
       The Defense Attache: RADM Yang from the Republic of China 
     (Taiwan) will present Paul at the funeral the Medal of Army 
     Brilliance, A Class, signed by their Minister of National 
     Defense to honor LTC O'Dowd's contribution to their defense.

     

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