[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 48 (Thursday, March 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JOSEPH RUPSIS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2022

  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a patriotic American, Mr. 
Joseph Rupsis. Mr. Rupsis lives in Clark County, Kentucky and 
celebrated his 100th birthday on March 15, 2022.
  Mr. Rupsis was born in Albany, New York. He enlisted in the United 
States Navy in October of 1942 when he was 20 years of age. Following 
basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was sent to the Pacific 
Theatre and assigned to the USS Victoria, an oil tanker. At the war's 
end, he was discharged in December of 1945. Mr. Rupsis resumed his work 
at a factory but signed up to serve in the reserves. During the Korean 
Conflict, he was called back into service in October of 1950. He was 
assigned to the USS Bataan, an aircraft carrier. His mother passed away 
while he was serving. Mr. Rupsis attained the rank of Petty Officer 
Second Class. He was discharged in December of 1951.
  Following his discharge in San Diego, Mr. Rupsis decided to remain 
there, where he met and married his first wife. Mr. Rupsis worked at an 
aircraft plant, graduated from San Diego State, and worked for many 
years in radio broadcasting. He later moved to Florida and worked for 
the Florida prison system, where he retired. After Hurricane Charlie 
destroyed his home and possessions, Mr. Rupsis moved to Winchester, 
Kentucky to be near family members. It was there that he met his wife, 
Mary.
  It is my honor to recognize this amazing patriot celebrate his 100th 
birthday, and appreciate him for his service and sacrifice to our 
nation during World War II and the Korean Conflict. As a part of ``The 
Greatest Generation'', Mr. Rupsis was an important part of the war 
effort to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. I am forever 
grateful for Americans like Joseph Rupsis.

                          ____________________