[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DOLORES ``DEE'' NELSON

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the bold and 
groundbreaking service of Dolores ``Dee'' Nelson.
  When Dee was only 20 years old, she longed to serve her country in 
World War II, just like her brothers. She joined the Women's Army Air 
Corps but, to her disappointment, was placed in an office job. That 
wasn't what Dee had in mind, and she told her superiors that that was 
not what she signed up for.
  Because of Dee's boldness, she began to get special assignments and, 
before long, was promoted to special operator. She passionately tackled 
every challenge and task brought before her. Her service took her to 
the newly opened Pentagon in Washington, DC, where she helped with 
preparations for the Allied landing at Normandy. For this mission, she 
was personally sworn to secrecy by President Roosevelt. Decades later, 
Dee still feels the sacrifice of the Allied lives that were lost on the 
beaches of Normandy.
  At every step of her career in the Women's Army Air Corps, Dee faced 
discrimination and disapproval from the men she worked alongside. Men 
would stand in front of her in line-ups when their superiors would walk 
by. Her superiors refused to put any of her special assignments or 
accomplishments into her record. After helping plan some of the most 
pivotal moments of the war, her military record unfairly downplayed her 
contributions to our Nation.
  After her military service, she used her GI Bill benefits to get a 
college education. At school, she met her husband, Donald, a fellow 
veteran of the U.S. Navy. She continued to buck tradition by traveling 
and working alongside her husband. As Donald continued his career in 
the military, Dee continued to serve her country in civil service.
  Dee's passion and intelligence has taken her far in life. From 
working in a shipyard in Long Beach, to teaching children on the windy 
Aleutian Islands, Dee found joy and fulfillment in serving other 
people.
  Dee is a miraculous woman who has not received enough recognition and 
appreciation for her service to our Nation in World War II. She didn't 
let anyone get in the way of her desire to serve, and our Nation is 
better off today because of her strength and determination. Women like 
Dee paved the way for generations of Montana and American women to take 
up the call to arms and serve our Nation.
  I stand here today to say thank you to Dolores Nelson for her 
service, strength, and sacrifice, on behalf of myself, Montana, and a 
grateful nation.

                          ____________________