[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5248-S5250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL CITATIONS

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in 
the Record speeches that I had previously given in Montana for four 
Congressional Medal citations.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


Congressional Medals Citation, Alen C. Storm, July 15, 2016, Kalispell, 
                                   MT

       Today I wish to honor Alen C. Storm, a resident of 
     Kalispell, Montana, and decorated veteran of the Iraq war.
       Alen, on behalf of myself, my fellow Montanans, and the 
     United States of America, I would like to extend our deepest 
     thanks for your service.
       Alen was born on January 8, 1987, in Walla Walla, 
     Washington, to Robert Storm and Valadia (Val-ah-dee-ah) Hunt.
       He grew up as the youngest of seven children in Hermiston, 
     Oregon, with three older brothers and three older sisters.
       His father was a logger, truck driver, and Army vet, just 
     like Alen's grandfather before him.
       Alen also looked up to his oldest brother, Michael, who was 
     about 20 years Alen's senior. Michael was the first of the 
     siblings to carry on the Storm's legacy of service. As a 25-
     year army veteran, Michael served in Iraq, Afghanistan and 
     Desert Storm.
       But the family's desire to protect and defend didn't end 
     there. Alen has yet another brother, Trenton, who actually 
     served in Iraq at the same time that Alen did, as well as a 
     sister, Kathy, who is a 22-year Navy veteran.
       So this was the legacy Alen faced when he began weighing 
     his options after graduation. He had been a track star in 
     high school and was considering college, but his desire to 
     protect and serve proved strong. He eventually decided to 
     follow in his family's footsteps, enlisting in the Army just 
     four months out from graduation, on September 21, 2005.
       So he packed his bags and headed straight to Fort Sill, 
     Oklahoma, for 18 weeks of basic training. He immediately 
     distinguished himself as a superior trainee, clocking one of 
     the fastest times the base had ever seen in the standard two-
     mile run during PT.
       As a result of his stellar performance, he was recommended 
     for airborne school at Fort Benning in Georgia. Here he would 
     train to be a paratrooper, jumping out of planes and into 
     enemy territory.
       But as fate would have it, Alen ended up at Fort Carson, 
     Colorado, where he specialized in Field Artillery, a position 
     affectionately referred to by his comrades as ``the eyes of 
     death.'' This is because Field Artillery is one of the most 
     dangerous and technical duty stations around, deploying ahead 
     of ground forces to scope out enemy territory and relay their 
     locales.
       Alen honed these skills for the next eight months--that is 
     until he found out he was being deployed to Iraq.
       Alen set off from Fort Carson on October 13, 2006. He 
     eventually touched down in Southern Baghdad, where he would 
     be stationed for the next 14 months.
       Alen spent the first two and half months of his deployment 
     working out of the base, helping monitor mortar fire from 
     headquarters. It wasn't until Christmas Day that his group 
     endured its first casualty. Alen was tapped to replace the 
     fallen soldier in the field, becoming the newest member of 
     Baker Company.
       He was forced to learn quickly on the line, experiencing 
     his first firefight on day one in the field. He was shot at 
     and hunted down more times than he could count. But it was 
     one fateful day that earned him his Purple Heart.

[[Page S5249]]

       It had been about seven months since Alen arrived in Iraq, 
     his squad was patrolling when their Humvee drove over an IED. 
     The vehicle, along with the soldiers inside it, was thrown 10 
     feet in the air and shrapnel was everywhere.
       Alen's friend Tom, who was sitting directly behind him, 
     tragically didn't make it. Alen sustained significant 
     shrapnel-related wounds and a severe concussion. He spent the 
     next 48 hours in a coma back at the base, but amazingly, was 
     back in the field about a week later.
       Finally, after 14 months on the front lines, Alen finally 
     arrived back in the states on December 23, 2007.
       He spent the next eight months back in Colorado, training 
     to become a Biomedical Equipment Technician at Fort Carson. 
     He then moved down to Shepperd Air Force Base in Texas, where 
     he continued his training and helped whip new enlistees into 
     shape.
       After three years, Alen was medically discharged, but 
     continued to work around the base. Two years ago, his 
     sister--the Navy veteran who lives in Missoula--convinced him 
     to move up to Kalispell, where he'd be closer to his son 
     Justice. Here he met the love of his life, Katie, who he 
     married just a few weeks ago today. They are expecting their 
     first daughter, Ember Marie, in early September.
       I now have the profound honor of presenting Alen C. Storm 
     with the Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 
     Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Good 
     Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service 
     Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War on Terror 
     Service, and Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars.
       Alen, these medals serve as a small token of our country's 
     appreciation for your incredible service and profound 
     sacrifice.
       You are truly an American hero. Thank you so much for your 
     service.
                                  ____



Congressional Medals Citation, Ronald ``Ron'' Sims, 8/17/16, Billings, 
                                   MT

       Today I wish to honor Ronald Sims, a lifelong Montanan--
     born-and-raised--and a decorated veteran of Vietnam.
       Ron, on behalf of myself, my fellow Montanans, and my 
     fellow Americans, I would like to extend our deepest 
     gratitude for your service to this nation.
       Ron was born on July 8, 1950, in Lewistown, Montana. He 
     grew up just 50 miles east in the town of Winnett, where his 
     father Claude worked as a pumper in the oil patch and his 
     mother Helen was a hot-lunch cook.
       In addition to Ron, there was his older sister, Lynne, and 
     his two younger brothers, Mike and Max.
       After graduating from high school, Ron spent the summer of 
     1968 working with his father in the oil patch.
       However, his plans quickly changed after receiving a letter 
     from the Army a few short months later.
       In January of 1969, Ron began basic and advanced infantry 
     training at Fort Lewis, Washington. And on June 22, he set 
     off for Vietnam as a member of the 1st Infantry Division.
       Ron quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a fully-fledged 
     sniper by September. Later that month, Ron and his comrades 
     were ambushed while waiting for a convoy to pass.
       Ron engaged three enemy combatants and successfully subdued 
     them, but not before one mustered the strength to fire an M1 
     grenade launcher at Ron and his truck.
       The grenade first hit the truck and then Ron's leg, earning 
     him a Purple Heart.
       Ron also earned a Bronze Star with Valor after capturing an 
     enemy solider he found lying in wait near his unit's base.
       Amazingly, the only long-term injuries Ron sustained during 
     all his time overseas occurred when a landmine detonated 
     under his tank, blowing him through the hatch and peppering 
     his face with shrapnel laced with Agent Orange.
       After nine months of service in the 1st Infantry Division, 
     Ron reenlisted as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.
       He initially worked on mechanics, learning to service and 
     fix Cobra assault helicopters.
       But his superiors quickly recognized a need for his unique 
     combat abilities, and within a month Ron had become a 
     Permanent Sergeant of the Guard, in charge of twelve men 
     along the bunker line.
       He continued in this position for another five months 
     before finally returning to the states on October 13, 1970.
       Upon his return, Ron volunteered for Drill Instructor 
     training in Fodor, California.
       He spent the next two and half years teaching new recruits 
     basic rifle and quick kill marksmanship.
       Ron was honorably discharged from the army on December 12, 
     1972.
       He eventually joined the Local 1334 Labors Union in 
     Missoula, and later, the Local 98 and 1686 Bricklayers Unions 
     in Billings, where he served as President for two years.
       He also reconnected with his high school sweetheart, 
     Janette.
       They raised a son, Robert, who now has two kids of his 
     own--Emily and Zachary--with his loving wife Tori.
       I now have the profound honor of presenting Ron with his 
     own set of military honors. For his courage and acts of valor 
     in line of duty, Ronald Sims received the Marksman Badge & 
     Auto Rifle Bar & Grenade Bar, Expert Badge & Rifle Bar, 
     Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 1960 Device, Combat 
     Infantryman 1st Award, Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star 
     Attachment (quadruple), National Defense Service Medal, Army 
     Commendation Medal & Large Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air 
     Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Bronze Star Medal.
       Ron, these medals serve as a small token of our country's 
     appreciation for your incredible service and profound 
     sacrifice.
       You are a true American hero. Thank you so much for your 
     service.
                                  ____



  Congressional Medals Citation, Gorvan Le Duc, 8/17/16, Billings, MT

       Today I wish to honor Gorvan Le Duc, a longtime resident of 
     Laurel, Montana, and decorated veteran of World War II.
       While Mr. Le Duc is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. 
     I am proud to present his medals here today to his son, 
     Gorvan, and his wife, Dorothy.
       On behalf of myself, my fellow Montanans, and my fellow 
     Americans, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for 
     your husband and father's service to this nation.
       Gorvan was born on November 25, 1920 in Ontario, Canada. He 
     lived in Port Severn with his mother Albertine and his father 
     William, who built boats.
       As a result, Gorvan grew up with a love of sailing and a 
     deep admiration for the sea.
       In fact, at age 16, Gorvan began sailing full time. He 
     spent the next three years sailing the Great Lakes, before 
     deciding to enlist in the Merchant Marines.
       This was June of 1939--the beginning of World War II--and 
     Gorvan's ship was tasked with delivering food and supplies 
     from the states to U.S. troops in Britain.
       Each trek across the Atlantic could take anywhere from 17-
     23 days, and during the voyage Gorvan did everything from 
     navigating to cleaning the pipes.
       Over the next four years Gorvan served this country 
     dutifully amidst death and strife, but he always kept his 
     sense of humor.
       That came in handy on September 25, 1943, when Gorvan's 
     ship, the SS Maiden Creek, was torpedoed by an enemy 
     combatant.
       The blast blew Gorvan almost 200 feet in the air, off the 
     deck, and into the Atlantic Ocean.
       He sustained 77 fractures throughout his legs and feet, a 
     broken back and a severe concussion.
       This left him floating helplessly on the open sea. 
     Eventually, a nearby British ship attempted a moving rescue, 
     but Gorvan was too injured to grab onto the buoy.
       So after three failed attempts, a British sailor jumped 
     into the ocean, swam out to Gorvan and dragged him back in.
       When the ship's medic informed him that he had just passed 
     out his last blanket and that the crew was fresh out of rum, 
     Gorvan looked up at the medic and said ``No blanket? No rum? 
     I guess I won't reup then.''
       Gorvan was eventually transported to an army hospital back 
     in New York, where he settled down and started raising a 
     family.
       But, in 1951, Gorvan went on a hunting trip to Laurel, 
     Montana. He called his wife then and there, and told her to 
     pack up the kids because he wasn't coming back to New York.
       So the family moved out to Laurel, and that's where they 
     stayed.
       Gorvan was a proud father of four.
       His son, who is here with us today, was inspired to go into 
     the service like his father and is himself a veteran of 
     Vietnam.
       Gorvan and his wife Dorothy were also married for almost 35 
     years before he passed away in February of last year.
       He is remembered as a master of all trades--a legendary 
     shot, a prolific gardener, an expert Cribbage player and even 
     a pilot.
       I now have the profound honor of presenting Gorvan and 
     Dorothy with his medals. For his bravery in line of duty, 
     Gorvan LeDuc received the Combat Bar with Bronze Service 
     Star, Victory Medal, Mariners Medal, Merchant Marine Emblem, 
     Honorable Service Button, and Mediterranean-Middle East War 
     Zone Medal.
       These medals serve as a small token of our country's 
     appreciation for Gorvan's incredible service and profound 
     sacrifice.
       He is a true hero and we are eternally grateful for his 
     service.
                                  ____



   Congressional Medals Citation, Thomas Huff, 8/17/16, Billings, MT

       Today I wish to honor Thomas Huff, a born-and-bred Montanan 
     and decorated veteran of World War II.
       Tom, on behalf of myself, my fellow Montanans, and my 
     fellow Americans, I would like to extend our deepest 
     gratitude for your service to this nation.
       Tom was born on July 20, 1922, in Moore, Montana, to George 
     and Bertha Huff.
       He grew up in Moore with his three sisters--Geneva, June, 
     and Olive--and his brother, George. He was just a few months 
     shy of 21 when he was drafted in February of 1943.
       And less than five months later, he was deployed to the 
     Pacific as a Combat Infantryman in the Army's 27th Division.
       His tour lasted two years, four months, and three days, and 
     spanned three different islands.
       The first of which was Eniwetok--of the Marshall Islands--
     which his battalion succeeded in capturing in February of 
     1944.
       The next was Saipan--of the North Mariana Islands--where 
     Tom fought amidst the rugged jungle landscape.
       This combat zone was so intense that the soldiers dubbed it 
     ``Purple Heart Ridge,'' but Tom fought his way through, 
     ultimately

[[Page S5250]]

     helping the U.S. achieve an important strategic victory in 
     the Pacific.
       Finally, in March of 1945, Tom arrived in Okinawa as a 
     hardened soldier and expert marksman.
       Here, Tom aided in the capture of pivotal Japanese 
     territory, before contracting a mosquito-borne illness.
       Tom was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington, in September 
     of 1945, spending a total of seven months in the hospital.
       Tom was honorably discharged from the Army on February 18, 
     1946.
       He eventually settled in Lewistown, Montana, where he 
     joined the police force and spent the last seven years of his 
     22-year career as Chief of Police.
       After retiring from the force at the age of 55, Tom went on 
     to become a jeweler--in both Lewistown and then Billings--for 
     the next 14 years.
       He married his wife, Georgia, just a few years ago at the 
     age of 90. And he is the proud father of five children and a 
     multitude of grandchildren.
       I now have the profound honor of presenting Tom with his 
     own set of military honors.
       For his bravery in line of duty, Thomas Huff received the 
     Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar, Expert Badge with Rifle 
     Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Combat 
     Infantryman Badge 1st Award, World War II Victory Medal, 
     Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Good Conduct 
     Medal, and Bronze Star Medal.
       Tom, these medals serve as a small token of our country's 
     appreciation for your incredible service and profound 
     sacrifice.
       You are a true American hero. Thank you so much for your 
     service.

                          ____________________