[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO ROY E. JUNE

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wish to recognize a distinguished 
and decorated World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran from my home 
State of Montana. Born in the small, humble town of Forsyth, 1LT Roy E. 
June comes as an inspiration to those who wish to lead a life of 
service to their country and their communities.
  From the tragedy of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, came America's 
greatest generation responding to the certain urgency of that era. Like 
many young men of that generation, Roy and his buddies enlisted in the 
Armed Forces to defend their country and to advance the just cause of 
freedom. In the U.S. Army Air Corps, Roy's bravery and skills as a 
fighter pilot set him above the rest. As a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot, 
Roy escorted B-29 bombers to Japan, strafed and dive-bombed strategic 
military installations on Chi Chi Jima. For his heroism in the Pacific 
Theater, Roy earned an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the 
Distinguished Flying Cross. His 15th Fighter Group, the 47th Fighter 
Squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.
  A fellow returning from Hawaii brought news about the end of the war. 
``Atomic Bomb Dropped On Japan'' read the headline of the Honolulu 
Daily Advertiser. After 11 missions over Japan and more than 500 combat 
hours in the P-51s, Roy returned home to Missoula in January 1946.
  Having grown up in the great State of Montana, Roy could recall many 
fond memories from his youth in his hometown of Forsyth. Roy was a Boy 
Scout and played center on the high school football team. Summers meant 
Huck Finn adventures and odd jobs; winters, though harsh, saw skating 
parties on the Yellowstone and ice hockey using sticks and tin cans. 
Before he joined the Air Corps, Roy studied engineering at the Montana 
State College in Bozeman.
  And like all Montanans who believe a good education is a lifelong 
process, Roy went back to school after his return from war. With 
degrees in journalism and business administration from the University 
of Montana in Missoula, Roy entered law school in 1949. There he met 
his wife Laura Jane Brautigam, also a native of Montana.
  Receiving his law degree in 1952, Roy went on to practice law in 
Helena where he helped to draft bills for State senators during the 
1953 session. In Billings, he became an associate in the law firm of 
Sanders, Cresap and Koch representing groups such as the National Beef 
Council and the National Livestock Auction Markets. A few years later, 
Roy moved to California to serve as the city attorney for Costa Mesa. 
He took with him the spirit of Montana generosity and incorporated 
several nonprofit companies pro bono as his contribution to his 
community.
  Even after his retirement in December 1996, Roy continues to give 
back to his community by volunteering at the Palm Springs Air Museum. 
Armed with firsthand knowledge of World War II aviation and the 
conflicts in the Pacific Theater, Roy shares his vivid experience with 
all, much to the delight of visitors, young and old.
  Mr. President, 1LT Roy June is a testament to the Montana spirit. We 
believe in courage, sacrifice, and service. From Montana to the 
Japanese Islands of Iwo Jima and Chi Chi Jima, wherever Roy was, he put 
up his best for his community and more importantly, his country. My 
fellow Montanans and I are extremely proud of Roy and his contributions 
to our State and Nation. A son of Montana from America's greatest 
generation, Roy reminds all of us that commitment and service to this 
country never end.

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