[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM E. LIGHTFOOT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I come to the house floor today 
to pay tribute to William E. Lightfoot, PFC, of Lexington, IL, as well 
as the 13 other Navy and Marine Corps airmen of Flight 19. On December 
5, 1945, a five-plane squadron took off from Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air 
Station in Florida. This would be the last time anyone would see these 
brave men, as all five planes mysteriously vanished while flying over 
the Bermuda triangle. A Mariner rescue plane, comprised of 14 crew 
members, was sent to look for survivors but they also vanished without 
a trace. In all, 27 men died in this unexplainable tragedy.
  To this day, no wreckage from any of the six planes has been found 
and no explanations have been realized. However, today, the House of 
Representatives approved H. Res. 500 to honor these men and recognize 
the 60th anniversary of the disappearance. Unfortunately, when this 
vote was called today, I was unable to cast my vote. Had I been able, I 
would have voted ``yes.'' I was a proud co-sponsor of this resolution 
and strongly support honoring these brave men. My heartfelt sympathy 
and admiration go out to Private William E. Lightfoot and his surviving 
family members.

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