[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9837]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           CHANCE C. MELTON, JR., HERO OF THE PACIFIC THEATER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, as Memorial Day draws near, I want to 
remember one of my constituents, Chance C. Melton, Jr. of Gaffney, 
South Carolina, whose valor helped save hundreds of sailors from dying 
in the Pacific.
  Chance Melton served in the United States Navy aboard the USS 
Pittsburgh during the latter stages of World War II. During his duty in 
the Pacific theater, Chance Melton helped rescue survivors of the 
aircraft carrier USS Franklin after it was bombed by the Japanese.
  The Franklin was attacked early on the morning of March 19, 1945, in 
enemy waters, shortly before it was to launch an attack on the Japanese 
mainland. The attack killed 725 men, injured 200 more, and forced 
roughly a thousand overboard into the Pacific. Chance Melton, as a crew 
member on the USS Pittsburgh, helped pull dozens of sailors out of the 
water, and later helped as the Pittsburgh towed the Franklin, which 
miraculously was still afloat, for three days to get the carrier out of 
Japanese waters. Melton and his crew mates were under enemy attack 
throughout their operation, but they achieved their mission. They 
started the Franklin on its long but successful journey back to the 
Brooklyn Naval Yard. This was the first rescue in naval history to pull 
a disabled ship out of enemy waters.
  For his service, Chance Melton was awarded the American Campaign 
Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three Silver Stars, and World War 
II Victory Medal. He served four years in the Naval Reserve before 
leaving military service. Chance became successful in textiles, and 
remains a leader in his community. He helped establish the Cherokee 
County Veterans' Museum, and has served as Commander of American Legion 
Post 109 since 1995. At age 85, Chance Melton is one sailor who is 
still going strong. I am pleased to honor his valor and unstinting 
service to our country.

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