[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING MESS ATTENDANT FIRST CLASS JOHNNIE LAURIE

  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize some 
of Alabama's fallen soldiers who have paid freedom's high cost and the 
families who still grieve their absence. You know, it is estimated that 
more than 81,000 American soldiers who gave their lives for our country 
remain unidentified--unidentified--since World War I.
  For nearly 80 years, this was the case for Alabama's own Mess 
Attendant First Class Johnnie Laurie of Bessemer, AL. Johnnie was very 
active at the Red Mountain Baptist Church teaching both Sunday school 
and Baptist young people's union classes.
  He graduated from Dunbar High School, where he competed in basketball 
and high jumping in track.
  In 1940, Johnnie joined the U.S. Navy and was later assigned to serve 
aboard the USS Oklahoma. He was aboard the ship on the fateful day of 
December 7, 1941, when our country was attacked by Japanese aircraft.
  Unfortunately, Johnnie was one of the 2,403 Americans who died at 
Pearl Harbor that day. He was awarded several medals posthumously, 
including a Purple Heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice.
  Out of the 429 crewmen aboard the ship, the Central Identification 
Laboratory was only able to identify 35 of the 429. This mystery seemed 
like it would never be solved. But in July 2019, Johnnie Laurie's 
remains were identified, and he was finally able to return to his home 
State of Alabama to receive a proper hero's welcome. He is now buried 
at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.
  His brother Elmer, now 94 years old, continues to participate in 
memorial ceremonies to ensure the sacrifices of fallen heroes like his 
brother are never, ever forgotten.

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