[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 197 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1644-E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LT. MICHAEL GENE PENN, NAVAL AVIATOR, POW

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 4, 2017

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week I was honored to meet one of 
Texas' finest, Navy Lieutenant Michael Gene Penn, who served during the 
Vietnam war. He, like many in my district, lost his home and many 
priceless possessions during the disastrous flooding caused by 
Hurricane Harvey.
  Last month my office was contacted by Lt. Penn's brother-in-law, 
Ralph Massengill, asking if I could help replace the treasured medals 
and ribbons that were lost during Hurricane Harvey. In his heartfelt 
email, he expressed his desire to present the awards and medals to Lt. 
Penn in a shadow-box as a Christmas gift. He felt this would be the 
perfect gift, as Lt. Penn hopes to be back in his home by Christmas. I 
was honored to help fulfill his request.
  Lt. Penn was born in Dallas, Texas on March 13, 1946. He attended the 
University of Texas at Arlington and graduated in August of 1969, all 
while working as a full-time police officer for the City of Fort Worth, 
Texas.
  As a young boy, he would watch the fighter jets take off and land. He 
decided then that he wanted to be a pilot in the Navy. His dream was to 
land a jet on an aircraft carrier. And that he did.
  Lt. Penn volunteered to serve in the Navy at a time when many people 
in our country were protesting our government and military; when the 
anti-war sentiment was high. The Vietnam war, also known as the second 
Indochina war, started on November 1, 1955 because of a conflict that 
pitted the Northern communist government of North Vietnam and its 
allies, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, 
the United States. Of course, that didn't deter him from enlisting. 
With his wife and family's full support, he went to the Ft. Worth Naval 
Air Station and told them that he wanted to fly jets. The only obstacle 
in his way was he had to finish college.
  So, after graduating college, he entered the Navy Jet Flight Training 
Program in August of 1969. He received his Wings a year and a half 
later. His first duty station as a Designated Naval Aviator was at the 
Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California, where he was assigned to 
Attack Squadron 56.
  On April 10, 1972, he departed the United States on his first cruise 
via aircraft carrier, the USS Midway. Most cruises are six to nine 
months, but with the ongoing war, President Nixon extended his to 11 
months. His squadron brought a total of 13 jets on their mission to 
Vietnam. Only one of the original 13 returned. He went through two 
jets, as did a couple of other pilots. Lt. Penn's first aircraft was 
hit by anti-aircraft fire, which gave him limited control of the jet, 
forcing him to land on to the USS Midway's barricade. His second 
aircraft was hit by a surface to air missile. Back in the day these 
aircrafts cost three million dollars apiece, and it was then that Lt. 
Penn became known as the six-million-dollar man.
  Lt. Penn (nicknamed Pick) flew a total of 75 combat missions over 
Northern Vietnam.
  Mr. Speaker, imagine 75 takeoffs and landings from an aircraft 
carrier.

[[Page E1645]]

  On his 75th mission, a SAM (surface-to-air) missile hit his A-7 
Corsair II aircraft. He was shot down over Haiphong. He was forced to 
eject from the aircraft, suffering several broken bones. After being 
ejected, he deployed his parachute, which quickly became impaled by 
bullets from enemy fire. Seconds after he hit the ground, he found 
himself surrounded by the enemy. It was then, when a villager, about 10 
feet away, began running at full speed with a knife in his hand towards 
Lt. Penn, in an attempt to kill him. Although Lt. Penn tried to dodge 
the attack, the villager cut the side of his neck open. A North 
Vietnamese Army soldier subdued the farmer and took Lt. Penn captive, 
using Penn's own bootlaces to restrain his hands behind his back before 
taking him to the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
  He was a prisoner of war (POW) at the brutal Hanoi Hilton for eight 
months. He lived in a 9x4 concrete cell. His meals consisted mostly of 
bread and water. The solitary lightbulb above him stayed on 24 hours a 
day. Twice he was given rice, which had roaches in it. In the 
beginning, the captives would pick the roaches out of their food, but 
after starving for so long, they eventually ate everything they were 
given.
  After spending eight months in captivity, the war was over. He 
returned home on March 29, 1973, as part of the last group that was 
brought back during ``Operation Homecoming''. 591 American POWs 
returned home during the operation. This was a direct result of an 
agreed ceasefire following the Paris Peace Accord, ending U.S. 
involvement in the Vietnam war. For Lt. Penn, it wasn't easy returning 
home. His son was six months old when he left, and was 1.5 years old 
when he returned. He didn't know who he was. It didn't take him long, 
thankfully. As he was getting to know his son, he was trying to 
acclimate to normal life. For the first three months he couldn't sleep. 
Since he, like many other POW's, slept on the floor in his concrete 
cell, it was some time before he was comfortable in his own bed.
  Lt. Michael Gene Penn honorably served the United States Navy for 11 
years. Nine years on active duty and two in the Navy Reserves. Lt. 
Penn's military service was remarkable. When he came into my office, I 
presented him replacement medals for:
  1. The Distinguished Flying Cross (the second highest award next to 
the Congressional Medal of Honor) for his extraordinary achievement 
while participating in a heavy combat aerial flight in Southeast Asia,
  2. The Bronze Star with a combat V (for valor) for his heroic 
achievements and meritorious service in a combat zone,
  3. Two Purple Hearts for having been injured twice while serving our 
nation,
  4. The Air Medal, for an act of heroism and meritorious achievement 
while participating in aerial flight,
  5. The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star and 
combat V (valor) for his sustained acts of heroism and meritorious 
service,
  6. The Combat Action Ribbon for his active participation in ground 
and surface combat,
  7. A Presidential Unit Citation for Gallantry, Determination, and 
Esprit de corps in accomplishing a mission under extremely difficult 
and hazardous conditions,
  8. The Prisoner of War Medal for his honorable service in the Armed 
Forces while being held against his will during the Vietnam war for 
eight months,
  9. The National Defense Service Medal for his military service during 
periods of national emergency or a period designated by the Secretary 
of Defense,
  10. The Vietnam Service Medal for his service in the geographical 
theatre area of Vietnam from July 4, 1965 through March 28, 1973,
  11. An Honorable Discharge Button for his impeccable and admirable 
service in the United States Navy.
  Lt. Penn resigned his commission from the Navy in 1978 and went to 
work for a commercial airline to fly 737s out of Houston, Texas. He 
quickly became the chief pilot, supervising over 700 other pilots. 
Today, he continues to serve the veteran community as a PTSD mentor and 
as a civilian inspirational speaker. He travels the world and tells his 
story of endurance and survival. His patriotic legacy of military 
service and giving back is one of the best examples of a remarkable 
generation in American history. Lt. Penn is a unique warrior that never 
renounced duty, honor or country. He was unbreakable. I asked him how 
he felt about his service, and he said, ``It was an honor to serve 
under difficult circumstances. I'm glad to be back in one piece.'' 
Always a humble man, he said to remember that, ``It's never a bad day 
as long as you have a door knob on your side of the door''.
  Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Harvey took a lot from Texans. It destroyed 
many of our businesses, some of our historic landmarks, and thousands 
of homes; and with it, it took many Texans' valuable and sentimental 
belongings. It has been an honor to meet Lt. Penn and a pleasure to 
replace the medals that recognize his commendable military service and 
personal accomplishments. Lt. Penn is of the rare breed, the remarkable 
breed of an American Patriot.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________