[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 136 (Tuesday, August 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JAMES TIPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 2022

  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a patriotic 
American, Mr. James Tipton. Mr. Tipton lives in Waco, Kentucky. He 
celebrated his 99th birthday on July 24, 2022.
  Mr. Tipton grew up on his family's farm in Union City, Kentucky. In 
1941, a new Ordinance called the Bluegrass Army Depot was opening in 
Richmond and Mr. Tipton helped work on it. In December of 1942, he 
decided to enlist and joined the United States Army Air Corps. 
Following basic training, he was assigned as a right-wing gunner. He 
was sent overseas and flew missions over Europe. On his last mission in 
April of 1944, his plane ran short of fuel, and they lost engine power. 
The crew had to jump out of the camera hatch. They landed over enemy 
territory in France and were captured by German soldiers and taken as 
prisoners of war. Mr. Tipton spent 13 months as a POW in Krems, Austria 
in STALAG XVII-B. After a march of about 160 miles, the prisoners were 
liberated on April 26, 1945.
  Following his time in the service, Mr. Tipton returned to Madison 
County and worked at the Bluegrass Ordinance for many years. He is a 
faithful member of the Waco Baptist Church, where he is the oldest male 
member. Mr. Tipton is well-respected by his community.
  It is my honor to recognize Mr. James Tipton, celebrate his 99th 
birthday and thank him for his service and sacrifice to our nation 
during World War II. As a part of ``The Greatest Generation,'' Mr. 
Tipton and his fellow soldiers are true heroes who bravely served and 
sacrificed to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today, and we can 
never thank them enough. I am forever grateful for Americans like James 
Tipton.

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