[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 157 (Friday, September 11, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN ``JACK'' FRANCIS DWYER (1921-2015) FOR HIS 
SERVICE AS PART OF THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICE (OSS) DURING WWII AS 
                     PART OF OPERATION CARPETBAGGER

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                           HON. JAHANA HAYES

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 2020

  Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Sargent 
John Francis Dwyer and his service to our country. As a member of the 
Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII as part of Operation 
Carpetbagger, Sargent Dwyer was among the men and women who comprised 
America's first spy agency, a predecessor to the CIA. On March 21, 
2018, Congress bestowed its highest civilian honor upon the group by 
presenting them with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  The archivists of the Air Force Historical Research Agency, the 
repository of the United States Air Force's official unit histories, 
have researched their files and found that after enlistment on August 
5, 1942, Sergeant John F. Dwyer arrived in England on March 18, 1945 
and was subsequently assigned to the 406th Bombardment Squadron at 
Harrington Airdrome. After theater and aircrew orientation, Sergeant 
Dwyer and his crew, under the command of Captain Maurice W. Freeman, 
become operational on May 17, 1945. Captain Freeman and his crew flew 
eight successful missions between May 17 and June 9. Sergeant Dwyer was 
honorably discharged on November 10, 1945.
  In addition to the dangers from German night fighters and flak, the 
Carpetbaggers always ran the risk of crashing into hillsides as they 
made low-level parachute deliveries to the resistance forces waiting 
below. From January 1944 to May 1945, they completed 1,860 sorties and 
delivered 20,495 containers and 11,174 packages of vital supplies to 
the resistance forces in western and northwestern Europe. Overall, more 
than 1,000 parachutists were dropped into enemy territory.
  The OSS Congressional Gold Medal Act states that the group was 
America's first effort to implement a system of strategic intelligence 
during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American 
intelligence and special operations communities. At its peak in late 
1944, it employed almost 13,000 individuals, a third of whom were 
women.
  The OSS organized, trained, supplied, and fought with resistance 
organizations throughout Europe and Asia which played an important role 
in America's victory during World War II. The OSS invented and employed 
new technology through its Research and Development Branch, inventing 
new weapons and revolutionary communications equipment. Its X-2 branch 
pioneered counterintelligence with the British and established the 
modern counterintelligence community. The network of contacts built by 
the OSS with foreign intelligence services led to enduring Cold War 
alliances. OSS ``Mercy Missions'' at the end of World War II saved the 
lives of thousands of Allied prisoners of war.
  Present-day Special Operations Forces trace their lineage to the OSS. 
Its Maritime Unit was a precursor to the U.S. Navy SEALs. The OSS 
Operational Groups and Jedburghs were forerunners to U.S. Army Special 
Forces. The 801st/492nd Bombardment Group were progenitors to the Air 
Force Special Operations Command. The Marines who served in the OSS 
were predecessors to the Marine Special Operations Command. U.S. Coast 
Guard personnel were recruited for the Maritime Unit and its 
Operational Simmer Group. Ultimately, the OSS spawned the Central 
Intelligence Agency.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant 
John Francis Dwyer as he rests in peace after such extraordinary 
service to the United States of America.

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