[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING CORPORAL FRED B. McGEE

  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I rise today to honor a heroic Ohio 
veteran whom we lost this month, CPL Fred B. McGee. Corporal McGee 
served in Korea, where he and his squad leader were both wounded in the 
bloody Battle of Hill 528.
  With his leader down, and despite his own injuries, Corporal McGee 
took command--he wasn't next in line, but he stepped up, and he saved 
lives. He was hit again, and his squad was given the order to withdraw. 
Yet still, with shrapnel in the face and leg, he voluntarily remained 
behind to evacuate his fellow soldiers who were wounded and killed. His 
acts of bravery earned Corporal McGee a Silver Star and two Purple 
Hearts.
  For too long, he did not receive the recognition he earned serving 
our country. Like so many veterans, Corporal McGee rarely spoke about 
his service and never drew attention to his own courage. While 
recalling the battle earlier this year he said, ``No, I'm not brave. I 
just did what was a necessity.''
  And in the 1950s, the color of his skin surely also contributed to 
the lack of recognition for Corporal McGee's heroism. He was drafted in 
1951 into a newly integrating Army and was one of the first African-
American soldiers to serve in Korea. Jefferson County's sheriff talked 
about how someone made a comic book in 1953 illustrating 10 stories of 
soldiers' heroics, they depicted Corporal McGee as a White man.
  We owe a hero like Corporal McGee a tribute that befits his service 
and sacrifice. At the end of last year, the Jefferson County Veterans 
Service Commission honored Corporal McGee as its Veteran of the Year. 
And I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring him on the Senate 
floor today.
  We thank CPL Fred McGee for his heroism and his sacrifices for our 
country and we send our thoughts to Corporal McGee's family. May the 
tributes from the many lives he touched bring you comfort, and know 
that we will keep alive the story of his heroism.

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