[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE MEMORY OF WILLIE HERD RUSHTON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire 
nation recently lost a true American hero, and I rise today to honor 
the memory of Willie Herd Rushton and pay tribute to his memory.
  Many Americans came to know Mr. Rushton last year as his courageous 
story, along with those of other Mobilians, was 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 one month later, a son he would not see for 
more than two 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. Following his discharge in November of 1945, 
Mr. Rushton was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Good Conduct 
Medal for his valor in service. He worked at Sears, Brookley Field and 
the United States Postal Service, where he stayed for 43 years. During 
his career with the Postal Service, his colleagues affectionately 
referred to Mr. Rushton as ``The Chief.''
  Madam Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in remembering 
a true American hero and friend to many throughout Alabama, as well as 
a wonderful husband and devoted father. Mr. Rushton will be deeply 
missed by his family--his wife, Evelyn Bush Rushton; his two sons, 
Willie Herd Rushton Jr. and Derrick Rushton; his daughter, Deborah 
Rushton Campbell; his brother, John Lee Jones; his six grandchildren; 
and his six great grandchildren--as well as the many countless friends 
he leaves behind.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________