[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 76 (Friday, May 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2016

  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Keesler Air Force 
Base on the celebration of their 75th anniversary.
  On June 12, 1941 Army Air Corps Station Number 8, Aviation Mechanics 
School was activated and on August 25, 1941 it was officially 
designated Keesler Army Air Field in honor of Second Lt. Samuel Reeves 
Keesler of Greenwood, MS. Lt. Keesler and his pilot were shot down 
after engaging four German aircraft on October 8, 1918. Lt. Keesler was 
seriously injured and died the following day. He was posthumously 
awarded the WWI Victory Medal with Silver Star for his heroism.
  Following the passage of the National Security Act of 1947 the United 
States Air Force became a separate military service, and Keesler Field 
became what we know it as today, Keesler Air Force Base. Since 1941, 
Keesler Air Force Base has served as an irreplaceable training ground 
for our men and women of the military.
  In recognition of their dedication to the mission as well as their 
dedication to the Airmen stationed there, on April 5, 2013 Keesler Air 
Force Base was awarded the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for 
Installation Excellence, signifying Keesler as the best Air Force 
Installation within the Department of Defense.
  Once again, I would like to commend the men and women of Keesler on 
their 75th anniversary celebration.

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