[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   TRIBUTE TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT JAMES CAMERON, MARINE CORPS WAR HERO

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I was in 
New Orleans as the city was preparing to celebrate the 56th anniversary 
of D-Day and the opening of the national D-Day museum. The event 
brought together thousands of World War II veterans and attracted even 
more to pay tribute to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who 
risked and far too often gave their lives to protect the freedoms that 
you and I enjoy every day. These brave Americans make up what is called 
``the greatest generation.'' Many of them are our parents and 
grandparents, husbands and wives, who endured through often unthinkable 
circumstances to build the United States of America into what it is 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, Daniel Webster once said, ``God grants liberty to those 
who love it and are always willing and prepared to defend it.'' 
Unfortunately, the cost of our liberty has not come easy. Throughout 
our Nation's history, brave men and women have sacrificed their lives 
in order to defend and protect the principles this Nation was founded 
upon. Together, they have ensured the strength of this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud and honored to represent a district with a 
strong military presence, both active and retired. The Third District 
of North Carolina is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene, Air 
Station Cherry Point and New River, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and 
the Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station. In addition, Eastern North 
Carolina is home to 77,000 retired veterans and nearly 13,000 retired 
military. While each individual can provide a unique perspective and 
account of their service, I would like to take time today to pay 
tribute to a gentleman whose service during World War II is worthy of 
recognition.
  Technical Sergeant James Cameron, Jr., was a navigator-bombardier 
during the Second World War. His remarkable military record both in 
combat and in peace represents that of many citizens who answered their 
call to duty and accepted the highest responsibility to preserve peace 
and freedom both here and abroad. Although regrettably 25 years after 
his death, Tech Sergeant Cameron was finally rewarded for his service. 
Earlier this year at Camp Lejuene Marine Corps in Jacksonville, North 
Carolina, Tech Sergeant Cameron's wife was part of a ceremony to honor 
her late husband's valiant service to this country. On behalf of her 
husband, Ms. Cameron received eight air medals. He is also eligible for 
two Distinguished Flying Crosses which are forthcoming. Technical 
Sergeant Cameron has also been awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign 
Medal with one Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the 
American Campaign Medal, and the Air Medal with two gold stars and one 
silver star.
  Mr. Speaker, James Cameron enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 
of 1942 at the age of 22. After attending the Navy Air Training Center 
in Jacksonville, Florida and the navigation-bombardier school at 
Quantico, he joined the 423rd bombing squadron at Cherry Point. He had 
served his country at war in the Southwest Pacific region from February 
1944 to March 1945. His B-25 crew flew more than 50 combat missions, 
bombing targets in New Britain and New Ireland.
  In 1944, his crew was on a crack bomber mission that was raiding 
Japanese positions when they were caught in the midst of heavy 
crossfire and were shot down. To survive, the crew was forced to spend 
10 hours on a life raft, averting enemy fire, before finally being 
rescued. Before this mission, Tech Sergeant Cameron and four combat air 
crewmen helped rescue a downed flyer in the sea off Green Island. Mr. 
Cameron helped secure a five-man raft and carried it down a 75-foot 
cliff in order to rescue the pilot. For his brave assistance, he 
received the Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroism.
  On October 2, 1945, Technical Sergeant Cameron was honorably 
discharged from the Marines. His dedication to his country can only be 
matched by his dedication to his family. James Cameron married his wife 
Elizabeth on September 27, 1941. Together they have three sons, James, 
Bruce and Doug.
  After leaving the service, Mr. Cameron served as a mounted policeman 
in New York City where he helped to train horses and taught other 
officers to ride horses. He retired from the police force at the rank 
of sergeant.
  Mr. Speaker, Technical Sergeant Cameron died on September 15, 1975 
after a long battle with cancer. But today we celebrate and honor his 
life and his dedication to preserve peace and freedom for all 
Americans.
  In closing, I want to share a quote from one of the Founding Fathers 
of this country, Gouveneur Morris, who once said, ``I anticipate the 
day when to command respect in the most remotest regions it will be 
sufficient to say, `I am an American.' ''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Tech Sergeant Cameron and all United 
States veterans for their heroic courage in the name of freedom. Yes, 
Mr. Speaker, we are free but it is because of the sacrifice made by 
many men and women to defend the freedom of this country.

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