[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5590-H5591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
          HONORING WILLIAM HENRY WARD AND RICHARD LEON WATSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroism of 
two Louisianians who served valiantly during World War II: William 
Henry Ward and Richard Leon Watson.
  William, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, grew up in New 
Orleans and shipped off to Europe in 1943 to join a heavy bombardment 
squadron that participated in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of 
the Bulge.
  During the Battle of the Bulge, his B-24 Liberator got shot down, 
took heavy fire, and he was forced into an emergency landing near 
Brussels. He hitchhiked back to England and, as soon as possible, 
rejoined the fight.
  On January 10, 1945, he completed his 35th mission over Germany and 
finally telegraphed his mother, Maude Ward, saying, ``Duties completed. 
Returning home soon.''
  Sadly, Richard Watson came home to Morehouse Parish in a more tragic 
way. He died defending our country while aboard the USS Oklahoma, which 
sank from a torpedo strike when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He 
was one of 429 crewmen killed in that attack.

[[Page H5591]]

  After 77 years, his body was identified and finally sent back home to 
Louisiana earlier this year.
  Mr. Speaker, our World War II veterans truly are America's Greatest 
Generation. It is because of the courageous acts of soldiers like 
William Ward and the sacrifices of sailors like Richard Watson that we 
are the country we are today.
  We owe a tremendous debt to our World War II veterans.
  I encourage everyone to thank these wonderful people when you see 
them and let them know that a grateful Nation has not forgotten what 
they did for us.

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