[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING WILLIE RUSHTON, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, FOR HIS SERVICE DURING 
                              WORLD WAR II

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to 
recognize Mr. Willie Rushton of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous 
service during World War II. His heroic story, along with other 
Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.''
  Born in Nadawah, Alabama, Mr. Rushton grew up on a saw mill farm in 
Atmore. After graduating from high school, he moved to Mobile to work 
at the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant. He was drafted in the spring of 1943, 
just a year after getting married.
  He signed on with the Marines and was shipped to the Pacific in July 
1943. His son was born just 1 month later, a son he would not see for 
more than 2 years. Assigned to the 11th Depot Company, he served in the 
South Pacific from July 1943 until October 1944. He and his unit--a 
unit that sustained the highest casualty rate of any black Marine 
unit--took part in the invasion of Peleliu along with the 1st Marine 
Division.
  Mr. Rushton himself was wounded in the leg by shrapnel from a mortar 
round while on the island. When he returned to Mobile following his 
discharge in November 1945, he was unable to return to his job at Coca-
Cola. He worked at Sears, Brookley Field, and the United States Postal 
Service, where he stayed for 43 years.
  Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Willie Rushton in ``The War'' 
documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and 
all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very 
best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay 
tribute to Mr. Rushton and his selfless devotion to our country and the 
freedom we enjoy.

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