[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26700]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CAPTAIN RICHARD C. YEEND, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 2003

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the service 
and sacrifice of Captain Richard C. Yeend, Jr. Capt. Yeend was serving 
as the co-pilot of an HH-3E, ``Jolly Green Giant'' helicopter sent to 
rescue a Marine pilot when the helicopter was shot down over Laos on 
June 9, 1968. Captain Yeend was listed as killed in action/body not 
recovered until his remains, along with the rest of the crew, were 
identified and returned home in September. He was buried September 28, 
2003, thirty-five years after his helicopter was shot down.
  Captain Yeend was raised in Mobile, Alabama, as the second of five 
children. He was a member of the Air Force ROTC at Auburn University 
and went on to flight school. After flying B-52s for several years, he 
volunteered for helicopter flight school as the Vietnam conflict 
escalated. Captain Yeend was deployed to Vietnam in February of 1968. 
His service to our country is evidenced by the awards he was awarded 
posthumously, including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross 
with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, 
and the Purple Heart.
  On October 11, 2003, on what would have been his 65th birthday, 
hundreds gathered at the Lower Alabama Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 
Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile to pay tribute to Captain Yeend, a 
man whose heroic efforts have not been forgotten. Retired Navy Rear 
Admiral Jeremiah Denton, who was a prisoner of war for over seven years 
during Vietnam, was the featured speaker. Admiral Denton praised 
Captain Yeend for his service and the Yeend family for its continued 
devotion to their country throughout their years of hardship, waiting 
while their loved one's remains were unaccounted for. He praised 
Captain Yeend along with all the Vietnam veterans in the audience for 
their service and assured everyone that their efforts were appreciated 
by all.
  Captain Richard Yeend was a man whose honor and devotion to his 
family and his country were seen in his daily acts of courage and his 
willingness to take on heroic acts. A man of great character and 
respect, Captain Yeend was a leader in all aspects of his life. His 
siblings looked to him for guidance and support. With his remains now 
returned home and at rest, may they have some peace and closure and 
know that he will be honored for his heroic actions. His sacrifice is a 
tribute to everyone that fought and those who continue to fight for the 
betterment of others and for the spirit of freedom which so many people 
throughout the world still yearn for.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Captain Yeend 
and in offering our condolences to his family for their loss and their 
struggle through the years as they awaited his final trip home.

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