[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 119 (Thursday, July 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING UNITED STATES MARINE SGT RICHARD LOUGHRAN AS JULY 2025 
                          VETERAN OF THE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LISA C. McCLAIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2025

  Mrs. McCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with profound respect and 
gratitude to recognize the extraordinary service and unwavering 
dedication of Sgt. Richard Loughran, a proud veteran of the United 
States Marine Corps and our distinguished Veteran of the Month for July 
2025 from Michigan's 9th Congressional District. His exceptional 
military career and steadfast commitment to duty, excellence, and 
patriotism embody the very best of American service.
  Richard Loughran answered the call to serve his country at the young 
age of 17--with his father's permission--when he enlisted in the United 
States Marine Corps. He graduated from the Detroit Institute of 
Technology in 1942 and enlisted in 1943. He began basic training and 
soon after completed training as a Private First Class, demonstrating 
his strong performance upon graduation. Richard continued to 
demonstrate his strong performance and high skill set when he was 
recruited to the Communication Intelligence Group as a Japanese Code 
Interpreter in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
  Over his three years of service, Richard was on the battlefields of 
Tinian, Saipan, Guam, and Okinawa. During these years, Richard also 
took part in the Wind Talkers Initiative. This initiative involved the 
use of the Native American language of Navajo by the U.S. military to 
create coded messages the Japanese couldn't decipher. Being a part of 
this initiative highlights Richard's high aptitude in languages and his 
deep dedication to serving our country.
  Richard was also a part of the radio deception that led to the 1942 
Battle of Midway. In this operation, codebreakers successfully 
deciphered Japanese naval codes and intercepted messages detailing an 
attack, which was later confirmed to be targeting Midway. Richard's 
group also contributed to the Buckner Bay capture of a German Enigma 
Code Machine. Being involved in such critical turning points in United 
States history is a testament to Richard's intelligence, bravery, and 
impact.
  After his service, Richard earned an Associate's Degree in 
Engineering from Valparaiso Institute, using that knowledge to become a 
manufacturer's representative. In 1961, he launched his own business--
Data Electronics--which grew across five states and demonstrated his 
entrepreneurial drive and success in the field.
  In the years that followed, Richard pursued a wide range of 
interests, from photography to the art of stage makeup. He even 
revitalized a struggling makeup studio in Chicago, turning it into a 
thriving business. More recently, he continued his service to others 
through volunteering for the Marine Corps. Richard helped run the Toys 
for Tots program in Illinois and served as an ombudsman for local 
nursing homes. His dedication earned him the title of Volunteer of the 
Year, further demonstrating his compassion and commitment to community.
  Richard is also a frequent guest speaker at local elementary and 
middle schools, where he shares his World War II experiences with 
younger generations, ensuring that the legacy of service and sacrifice 
lives on.
  Above all, Richard is a loving husband and devoted father. Together 
with his wife, he raised three children. He recently celebrated his 
100th birthday, surrounded by over fifty family members including 
seventeen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, a 
remarkable milestone befitting a remarkable man.
  Mr. Speaker, let us express our sincerest appreciation to Richard 
Loughran for his outstanding military service and for his excellent 
acts of valor that have protected our country and our freedoms in our 
great nation. His story is a testament to the American spirit of 
service, sacrifice, and resolve, and it is an honor to recognize him as 
our Veteran of the Month.

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