[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17022]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 17022]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

                 HONORING CAPT. THOMAS ANDERSON (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to 
honor Mr. Thomas Anderson for his service to our great Nation during 
World War II. Captain Anderson's achievements during World War II and 
throughout his life deserves recognition. It is my pleasure to pay 
tribute to an individual who put his life on the line sacrificing his 
well-being to the broader interests of the United States of America.
  As a lieutenant, Thomas Anderson first saw action in Germany during 
the latter half of World War II. As a brave young pilot, Lieutenant 
Anderson flew a number of missions in his Northrup P-61 Black Widow 
Night Fighter. One of Lieutenant Anderson's most notable 
accomplishments was being the last pilot on a combat assignment in the 
air in the European theater of operations. Moreover, Mr. Anderson flew 
the final air combat mission of World War II through treacherous 
weather that caused his entire aircraft to entirely freeze over. 
Captain Anderson nearly lost his life and plane, but managed to land 
the aircraft safely where crewmembers had to use ice picks in order to 
remove Thomas from the cockpit.
  After a trying tour in Europe, Captain Anderson was reactivated 
during the Korean War where his experience and leadership were 
imperative to the United States campaign in the region. Captain 
Anderson is a respectable, humble, and honorable citizen-soldier. It is 
our duty as Americans to acknowledge Thomas Anderson's accomplishments 
and recognize the honor, pride and valor in which he served our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor and recognize 
Captain Thomas Anderson (Retired) for the courage and heroism that he 
displayed while serving in World War II and Korea. Our Nation owes 
Captain Anderson a debt of gratitude and his actions will never be 
forgotten. I commend citizen-soldier, Thomas Anderson for his honorable 
and distinguished service to the State of Colorado and our great 
Nation.

                          ____________________