[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 140 (Tuesday, August 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF IRVIN ADAIR, JR.

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                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 30, 2022

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Irvin Adair's 
100th birthday. Mr. Adair is a dedicated father, grandfather, WWII 
veteran, and former public servant for the City of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado.
  On September 3, 1922, Irvin was born in a small farmhouse near El 
Dorado, Kansas. Mr. Adair has lived a full life dedicated to his 
country and family. Irwin had seven siblings, four younger brothers and 
three sisters.
  When World War II began, Irvin was only sixteen years old, but when 
he was old enough to enlist, he did so. He was sworn into the United 
States Navy on December 7, 1942, on the USS Oregon in Portland, 
Oregon--one year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Irvin 
served on two destroyers during his service--the USS Frankford and the 
USS Uhlmann. The USS Frankford escorted supply ships from the Brooklyn 
Navy Yard to Casa Blanca, Africa.
  Seaman 1st Class Adair proudly served on the USS Uhlmann, a ship with 
extensive combat engagement during WWII. Irvin and his fellow sailors 
provided aircraft carrier support for air strikes in many Pacific 
Theater battles, including the Battle of Iwo Jima. In addition, they 
participated in the Okinawa, Leyte Gulf, Western Carolines, Lueon, and 
Japan operations. When WWII ended, the USS Uhlmann docked at Tokyo Bay, 
Japan, next to the USS Missouri, where the Empire of Japan signed the 
official Instrument of Surrender to the Allied forces. Irvin could see 
the military dignitaries on the bow of the USS Missouri from where he 
stood on the USS Uhlmann.
  For his steadfast dedication and service, Irvin received the European 
African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the 
World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two 
stars, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with six stars. 
Irvin's combat experience can only be described in volumes as he 
bravely fought in most of the WWII Pacific Theater Sea battles.
  After being Honorably Discharged from the US Navy, civilian life 
began for Irvin. In 1948, he started working for the City of Colorado 
Springs as the Supervisor of the Peterson Airport Service Facility. 
During this time, he was lucky to meet and marry Ms. Barbara Campbell 
in September 1952. Barbara was a wonderful wife (of 66 years), mother, 
and grandmother until her passing in January 2017. Together, they have 
three children: Cathy, David, and Judy. Their legacy continues with six 
grandchildren. Irvin retired in 1980 after 32 years of dedicated 
service to the City of Colorado Springs.
  Today, Irvin continues to enjoy life in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
His life may seem simple, but that is undoubtedly the Lord's gift for 
his heroism and the sacrifices he made during his service in WWII.
  Mr. Adair remains connected with fellow service members as he is a 
lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American 
Legion.
  I wish Mr. Adair a very happy 100th birthday and thank him for his 
service to our great Nation. May he celebrate many more.

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