[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 178 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1505-E1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JACK CANNON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2018

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jack Cannon's 
service to the United States during World War II. It is an honor to 
acknowledge and commemorate his immense courage and laudable character 
with this Congressional Record.

[[Page E1506]]

  Mr. Cannon was born on February 22, 1924 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He 
was called to serve in World War II in 1942, where he left his home 
state for the first time in his life. He studied basic air supply and 
aircraft construction in Florida and went on to receive specialized 
training on the B-29 Superfortress, which contained a remote-control 
turret and gunner. During a raid on Tokyo in March 1945, he began 
serving as a Technical Sargent and gunner on the Salvo Sally B-29. On 
April 28, 1945, Salvo Sally was shot down in Southern Japan into the 
Pacific Ocean with twelve men aboard. Mr. Cannon was the only survivor.
  Adrift in enemy territory, with only a ``Mae West'' life jacket, Mr. 
Cannon persevered until rescuers were deployed. After two days, The USS 
Gato submarine surfaced, and Mr. Cannon heard an American voice: ``Is 
anyone there?'' He ran across the submarine to the hatch where they 
pulled him to safety.
  Moreover, Mr. Cannon and ten other individuals from separate missions 
were rescued by the USS Gato where they lived for a month-long trek to 
Saipan. He returned to United States soil on or around July 4, 1945 to 
his wife, Murrie, and four-month-old daughter, Julie, whom he had yet 
to meet.
  Nearly 72 years later, Mr. Cannon was contacted by the son of the 
engineer behind Salvo Sally, Fred McDonald, as well as Don Langford, 
who were researching the bomber's story. During their research; Mr. 
McDonald and Mr. Langford contacted officials in Japan who forwarded 
their inquiry and sent reporters to St. Louis to Mr. Cannon's home to 
interview him.
  As a result, Japan invited Mr. Cannon to Myazaki, Japan in May of 
2018 for a ceremony honoring the crew of Salvo Sally. Mr. Cannon, his 
current wife, Imelda, Don Langford, Fred McDonald, and Judy Linquist 
attended the ceremony. There, Mr. Cannon was honored for his service 
and peacemaking efforts by officials in Japan. Not only was his 
experience honored, it was portrayed and preserved in a documentary 
that Japan made about Salvo Sally and the only survivor, Mr. Jack 
Cannon.
  It is a privilege to stand today and honor Mr. Jack Cannon's bravery 
and service to the country. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking and 
honoring Mr. Jack Cannon.

                          ____________________