[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11739]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO HAROLD O. DAVIES

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I would like to take the 
opportunity to honor Mr. Harold O. Davies, a Seaman on the USS Yorktown 
in the Battle of Midway during World War II.
  During the Memorial Day holiday, we have honored many of our service 
men and women who risked their lives for their country. We have 
especially honored what Americans call ``our greatest generation''--the 
men and women who fought in WWII--and Mr. Davies is an extraordinary 
addition to this generation.
  Mr. Harold Davies fought on the USS Yorktown at the Battle of Midway. 
Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States' 
retaliation emerged in a grueling war of the Pacific. The Battle of 
Midway was the major turning point in the Pacific in which Japan lost 
all four aircraft carriers and all of the airmen and planes in the 
battle. On June 4, 1942, before the last Japanese aircraft carrier 
sunk, it struck the USS Yorktown, leaving the ship dead in the water. 
The crew worked diligently to repair the damage and returned the ship 
to fully operational. The USS Yorktown, also known as the ``Fighting 
Lady,'' launched fighters for three more days, gaining a major victory 
for the United States before sinking on June 7.
  Mr. Davies never left his post during this battle. He remained 
courageous and loyal to his crew and duties. As the ship was sinking, 
he refused to board the lifeboat until all the wounded were aboard. 
After the ship sank, he remained in the water for two and a half hours 
before being picked up by a whaleboat. Mr. Davies was not injured in 
the battle. He lives today as a prominent member of his community and 
church in Hebron, KY and is able to share the story of the legendary 
Battle of Midway. This type of valor should not go unrecognized. 
Therefore, I join my fellow Kentuckians to honor Mr. Harold O. Davies 
and thank him for his service in the United States Navy.

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