[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF RICHARD WADE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2019

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute, honor and thank 
World War II veteran Richard Wade.
  On February 5, 1924 Richard Wade, Jr. was born on an icy cold day to 
Richard and Mary Frances Wade. When he was only five weeks old, 
Richard's grandparents, David Kearney, an Irish immigrant, and his 
wife, Illa, began to raise him. Richard spent his childhood and teen 
years in Portland, Maine.
  In January of 1942, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy. He 
trained in aviation radio at Naval Air Station Banana River, now called 
Patrick Air Force Base. He worked convoy coverage and submarine patrol 
and was a part of the Helicopter Development Squadron. While in 
service, he traveled to Brazil where he was stationed for three and a 
half months. Other assignments in Brazil took him to Aratu and Natal. 
In Natal, Richard worked the radio one night for so long that he became 
deaf and did not regain his hearing for two days. Richard received the 
American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and Combat Air 
crewman Insignia.
  While stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, Richard received the news 
that the war had ended. He remembers the historic occasion and 
celebrating with his buddies. Richard worked for thirty years at 
Missouri Pacific Railroad as a truck driver. He retired and settled in 
Rye, Texas, and currently resides in Livingston, Texas.
  We thank Richard Wade for responding to the call to protect and 
defend this great nation. His sacrifices exemplify why our nation 
remains ``the land of the free and the home of the brave.''

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