[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 175 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF JOHN J. OGDEN, JR.

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2020

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
World War II veteran John J. ``Johnny'' Ogden, Jr. in commemoration of 
the 75th Independence Day since the end of World War II.
  Johnny grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and was drafted into the United 
States Army at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on July 23, 1943. He was 
assigned to Company F, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division 
as a Rifleman.
  On April 19, 1944 PFC Ogden landed in Glasgow, Scotland and remained 
in the United Kingdom until deploying to Normandy in support of 
Operation Overlord on D-Day + 7-June 13, 1944. Johnny and the 314th 
entered combat on June 19, 1944 with an attack on the high ground 
northwest of Valognes and the high ground south of Cherbourg, France. 
On June 25, the 314th Infantry Regiment captured Fort du Roule during 
fierce fighting. Corporal John D. Kelly from Company E and First 
Lieutenant Carlos C. Ogden from Company K were awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor as a result of their fearless fighting and 
leadership. For their collective actions, the 314th Infantry Regiment 
was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.
  Following the capture of Cherbourg by Allied Forces, Johnny and the 
314th Infantry Regiment fought to expand the Allied perimeter at Saint-
Lo in what has subsequently become known as the Battle of the 
Hedgerows. It was during this series of engagements that Johnny was 
wounded on August 13, 1944 and evacuated to Exeter, England.
  Johnny recuperated for six months in England and was redeployed to 
France as Allied Forces continued to advance to Germany. On December 
21, 1945 Johnny was discharged at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. 
Subsequently, he returned to Memphis, Tennessee before finally settling 
with his wife Jean at Moon Lake, Mississippi.
  It is because of members of the Greatest Generation like Johnny Ogden 
that America was able to restore freedom and liberty to Europe. He 
selflessly served this great country and his example is an inspiration 
for generations to come.

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