[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E409-E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN MEMORY OF MOTOR MACHINIST MATE 2ND CLASS ROGER H. SPOONER

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today, to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary sailor, World War II veteran, and dedicated civil 
servant, Mr. Roger H. Spooner, who transitioned from labor to reward on 
Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the age of 99. His funeral service was 
held on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. under the ``Spooner 
Oak'' on Bartow Gibson Highway in Seminole County, Georgia.
  Roger Hern Spooner was born November 18, 1922, as one of eight 
children to the union of Lewis and Delia Spooner.
  In his pursuit of a life outside of farming, Roger answered the call 
to serve his nation when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 
1941 at the age of 18. After completing boot camp, he was sent to the 
aircraft carrier,

[[Page E410]]

U.S.S. Yorktown, with a destination of Pearl Harbor, which had just 
been bombed. After arriving at Pearl Harbor and witnessing the remnants 
of damage and lingering smoke from the invasion, the crew of 2,500 
sailors headed to the coast of Australia. In May of 1942, during the 
Battle of the Coral Sea, Roger saw action when the U.S.S. Yorktown 
endured damage, and the crew suffered 61 casualties. Following the 
gruesome battle, the carrier and crew returned to the Navy yard at 
Pearl Harbor for repairs. Once repairs were made, the crew made their 
way to Midway Island to join other ships in preparation for the Battle 
of Midway, which took place in June of 1942. Many historians consider 
it to be the most important battle in the Pacific during World War II 
as it was a clash between the U.S. Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy 
six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  During the Battle of Midway, the U.S.S. Yorktown incurred a massive 
hit beyond repair, and the crew was told to abandon ship. One-by-one 
every crew member went down a line into the water with their life 
preservers into water that was so oily that once they were covered, you 
could only see the whites of their eyes. After being stranded afloat 
for a day, Roger and his crewmates were rescued.
  Roger served another four years in the Navy, where he attended 
submarine school and completed nine war patrols out of Perth, 
Australia. He was later discharged from the Navy as a Motor Machinist 
Mate Second Class, after being involved in a motorcycle accident. 
Following his military service, he continued to serve his community and 
make an impact in the lives of others by serving his fellow Veterans as 
a member of the American Legion Post 157, Donalsonville.
  In addition to serving, farming, and raising his family, Roger also 
ventured into the trucking industry. He worked for a company for almost 
18 months before he decided to go into trucking for himself in 1948. 
From there, he started his company, Spooner Farms Trucking, LLC. His 
first truck was a 1940s model ``gas burner'' GMC, but over the years, 
he acquired several Kenworths and Peterbilts. Roger's sons, David and 
Dennis; and his grandson Jake, joined his trucking business, which had 
as many as seven trucks running and always transported produce within a 
125-mile radius of the shop.
  Roger's love for his wife, his service, and his passion remained 
active until his passing. As such, he made sure to renew his licenses 
and maintain the upkeep for his 1999 Peterbilt 379 affectionately named 
``Miss Eloise'', which he used to haul agricultural products, including 
bagged and liquid commodities. The truck's number (CV5) represented the 
U.S.S. Yorktown's identification number with a 12.7 Detroit engine and 
a 10-speed.
  Mr. Roger H. Spooner lived his life by the Golden Rule which states 
``Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'' A man of great 
morals, he demonstrated this principle throughout his career and life, 
outstanding achievement, service, and public distinction. Our 
community, our state, and our nation are better because of him.
  Roger accomplished much in his life, but none of it would have been 
possible without the Grace of God and the love and support of his 
family including his late wife, Eloise; and his sons; Roger, Lewis, 
Thomas, David and Dennis; and his grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 730,000 people 
of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in honoring the life and 
legacy of Mr. Roger H. Spooner for his remarkable service to his 
community, his nation and to humankind. Moreover, we extend our deepest 
sympathies to his family, friends, loved ones, and all who grieve 
during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that they will be 
consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the 
weeks, months, and years ahead.

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