[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING STAFF SERGEANT RALPH H. BODE

  (Mr. STEIL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEIL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Staff Sergeant Ralph H. 
Bode, from Racine, Wisconsin.
  On September 27, 1944, Staff Sergeant Bode's aircraft was shot down 
over the skies of Kassel, Germany.
  After the crash, three crewmembers were taken prisoner. Staff 
Sergeant Bode was not among them. He was declared missing in action. At 
the time, Staff Sergeant Bode was 20 years old, serving as a World War 
II tail gunner. He played a vital role in the bombing mission aimed at 
disrupting Nazi operations over Kassel, Germany.
  For 80 years, no one knew what actually happened to Staff Sergeant 
Bode, but recently, his remains were identified. This Friday, 80 years 
to the day of his last mission, he will be returning home to Racine, 
Wisconsin.
  Madam Speaker, I welcome home Staff Sergeant Bode. We are a nation 
forever grateful for those who gave their lives defending our freedoms.

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