[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21435]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE CREWMEN AND THEIR SERVICE TO THE USS ``ALABAMA''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and the state of 
Alabama are honored to be the home of the USS Alabama, and I rise today 
to honor her former crewmen for their tremendous sacrifice and service.
  For more than 40 years, the USS Alabama has graced Mobile Bay with 
her beauty. As one of Alabama's top tourist attractions, she continues 
to serve as a lasting memorial and tribute to the ``Greatest 
Generation.''
   Constructed in the Norfolk Navy Yard on December 1, 1940, the USS 
Alabama was commissioned on August 16, 1942, with Captain George B. 
Wilson in command.
   In nearly five years of commissioned service, the USS Alabama earned 
nine battle stars for participation in the Atlantic and Pacific 
Campaigns of World War II. The USS Alabama is representative of the 
South Dakota class of American battleships that fought against Japan in 
World War II. She also earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal 
Pacific, for the period fought in Korea during September of 1945.
   The USS Alabama defended her nation against an enemy of oppression 
and now reflects the pride of a grateful nation. After retiring in 
1962, the USS Alabama was stationed in Mobile Bay and opened as a 
museum the following year. Nicknamed the ``Mighty A,'' she was added to 
the National Historic Landmark registry in 1986.
   Former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace received the battleship on 
behalf of the state. Years later, in remembering the event, he said, 
``On the day we were piped aboard by the U.S. Marine Band from 
Washington, tears welled up in my eyes, and chills went down my spine, 
as I thought of all the boys killed in World War II, and who died and 
were dying in the Vietnam War, and that this was a tribute to them for 
us to save this ship as a lasting monument.''
   Madam Speaker, the USS Alabama holds a reunion every year in April, 
to honor the crewmen who fought for each American's freedom. Of the 
approximately 6,000 original members of the USS Alabama, the following 
members were able to attend the most recent reunion: Hildrey H. 
Arnette, Frank Basham, Preston A. Bristow, John R. Brown, Stan Bryn, 
Gene Giarrusso, Daniel R. Glass, Leo J. Goulet, Albert A. Grimm, 
William Hahn, Millard F. Hill, John Kilgore, Jimmie D. Maish, Raymond 
Medved, Sr., Dr. William R. Miller, Frank Radulski, Sr., Leuico B. 
Sealy, Frank Sherman, John Simpler, Edward J. Suchy, Kenneth E. Thomas, 
and Leva Loyd Witt.
   They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my 
colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to these men--and all of the 
soldiers who fought in World War II--for their selfless devotion to our 
country and the freedom we enjoy.

                          ____________________