[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE SERVICE OF CHARLIE DOWD
(Mr. ROSENDALE asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on this National Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day, the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I rise to
honor Charlie Dowd, Montana's last living Pearl Harbor survivor.
Charlie was just a 17-year-old radioman stationed at Pearl Harbor
when he was awakened by the sound of the Japanese surprise attack, a
day which lives in infamy. Charlie immediately raced to the window of
the ship where he saw a nearby hangar go up in a plume of flames.
Wearing just a T-shirt, he grabbed a rifle and climbed on to the roof
where he and other volunteers started firing at the attacking planes,
some of the first shots fired by Americans in World War II.
Charlie's heroism, and that of others on that day, undoubtedly saved
lives, and their bravery and resolve should be commended. He served for
nearly 5 years in the United States Navy.
Charlie lives in Anaconda, Montana, and will be celebrating his 98th
birthday on December 23. On behalf of all Montanans and a grateful
Nation, I want to thank Charlie Dowd for his service and wish him an
early happy birthday.
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