[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20501]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO LTJG EDWIN NORTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to LTJG Edwin 
North in recognition of the 11 years of honorable service in the United 
States Navy during and after World War II.
  Edwin North started his military career in the U.S. Army ROTC at 
Michigan State University. In 1943, he decided to join the U.S. Navy 
where he served with distinction on various ships in the Pacific 
Theater, including the heavy cruiser USS Tuscaloosa. He also served as 
captain of a Landing Craft Tank, LCT, where amongst his other duties, 
he ferried sailors, rescued from the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, 
from the USS Doyle to the island of Peleliu for treatment. On his LCT 
he performed other tasks like transporting equipment ship-to-shore, and 
transporting slave labor survivors, who had been rescued from Japanese 
capture, from Peleliu Island to resettlement on Koror Island.
  In addition, Lieutenant junior grade North served with great honor 
and distinction in numerous other activities in the Pacific Theater, 
performing reconnaissance missions and deliveries ship-to-shore on his 
LCT, mostly in areas of potential danger to life and craft that were 
still under Japanese control. In another instance, Lieutenant junior 
grade North was handpicked to be an observer in the turret of an 
amphibious PBY observation plane. He performed these duties calmly and 
courageously, gaining praise for his surveying and observation skills 
in the midst of a high level of danger while reconnoitering active 
Japanese emplacements and other potential Naval targets on New Guinea. 
Lieutenant junior grade North was seriously injured in a fire resulting 
from the collision of his combat ship with its supply ship. He spent 
several months in various hospitals recovering from his injuries before 
returning to duty.
  Following his service in the Pacific Theater, Lieutenant junior grade 
North was assigned stateside to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center 
near Chicago, Illinois. On January 19, 1954, LTJG Edwin North was 
honorably discharged from active duty after eleven years of service in 
the United States Navy. In more recent times, Lieutenant junior grade 
North served as a volunteer with distinction in the Michigan Governor's 
Home Guard.
  On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am 
honored today to recognize LTJG Edwin North in gratitude for his eleven 
years of service to our country. I hope the years to come will bring 
him health, happiness, and special memories with family and friends. We 
are thankful for his dedication to this nation, and wish him and his 
family the best.

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