[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6562-S6563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CHANNING ROBERT WHITAKER

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen 
soldier from Iowa, Private Channing Robert Whitaker. After 76 years, 
this marine is finally coming home. Inspired by the patriotism and 
service of his four older siblings who also served during World War II, 
Whitaker enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 at the age of 17. 
After completing training, his unit deployed on November 20, 1943 
during the

[[Page S6563]]

D-Day operations at Tarawa Atoll in the Pacific. On November 22, 1943, 
Whitaker was killed in action during the effort to secure Betio Island 
in the Tarawa Atoll. He was 18 years old. During this battle, over 
3,000 U.S. marines and sailors were killed or wounded. After the war 
was over, there were efforts to repatriate all of the fallen; however, 
almost half of the known casualties were not recovered.
  In March of this year, thanks to the efforts of History Flight, Inc., 
the Republic of Kiribati, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 
Whitaker's remains were identified. On November 22, 2019, 76 years 
after he gave the last full measure of devotion in service to his 
country, Channing Whitaker will be buried with full military honors in 
Des Moines, IA.
  Our country owes a debt of gratitude to all who have served in 
defense of our country and especially to those who killed in action. I 
am grateful that this Iowan is finally coming home and that his service 
and sacrifice will always be remembered.

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