[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING A VETERAN AND PATRIOTIC AMERICAN--JOHN SEYMOUR STARR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, a patriotic veteran and role-model citizen 
recently passed away in Greensboro, North Carolina. On behalf of the 
citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, I rise to honor John 
Seymour Starr, a World War II veteran, who dutifully fought for his 
country from an early age. Only nine days after his 18th birthday, 
Starr enlisted in the army and joined General George Patton's 3rd Army 
as a machine gunner on the back of a jeep in the 2nd Cavalry, 42nd 
Recon. As one of Patton's ``Ghosts,'' Corporal Starr put his life on 
the line day after day scouting ahead of the division to locate and 
engage the enemy in order to determine their strength and position for 
an armored assault.
  Just months after entering the fight, on August 8, 1943, Corporal 
Starr's jeep drove over a land mine on France's Breast peninsula 
killing the driver and passenger. Starr was put in the hospital with 
shrapnel embedded in his back that he would carry for the rest of his 
life. Undeterred by his injuries, Starr ignored his reassignment to a 
non-combat unit and left the hospital. He hitched rides through France 
until he was reunited with the 2nd Cavalry. During the rest of his 
service, he helped General Patton's 3rd Army take control of the French 
campaign, and he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944.
  The courage and dedication Starr displayed, earned him several 
medals, including the Purple Heart and five Bronze Stars. Starr's 
patriotism was reflected in his life's philosophy: it is easier to 
fight for one's country, even in the face of death, than it is to give 
up the freedoms we enjoy in America.
  He is survived by his wife, Jean Starr, 1 sister, 5 children, 5 
grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter. 
Again, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we join with 
his family and our community to state that we will miss Corporal John 
Seymour Starr, an admirable citizen and veteran.

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