[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 157 (Friday, September 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 VETERAN OF THE MONTH WILLIAM CALDWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN HERN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2019

  Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First 
District of Oklahoma's September Veteran of the Month, Lieutenant 
William Caldwell.
  A B-17 Pilot in the United States Air Force, Lieutenant Caldwell 
honorably served our nation during World War II. A member of the 
Greatest Generation, Mr. Caldwell began his military service in 1936 at 
the age of 14 when he joined the National Guard. When the United States 
entered World War II, William and his four brothers, Wayne, George, 
James, and Floyd, like so many others, courageously answered their 
nation's call. All five Caldwell brothers served abroad and returned 
safely home to Oklahoma.
  As our nation has recently paused to remember our POWs and MIAs 
through POW/MIA Recognition Day, it is important that we honor veterans 
like Lieutenant Caldwell who continued to honorably serve their country 
while being held captive by enemy forces. On his 22nd and final bombing 
mission, Lieutenant Caldwell and his crew were shot down over Germany. 
They were taken captive by German forces and held in prison camps until 
they were liberated in 1945.
  Lieutenant Caldwell has lived a life of unmatched dedication, 
sacrifice, and service to our great nation. He answered the call to 
defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary 
in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Lieutenant 
William Caldwell as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's 
September Veteran of the Month.

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