[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 26685]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CHARLES EARLE CRAFTS

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Charles Earle 
Crafts of Livermore, ME, who is to be awarded three exceptional valor 
awards on November 9, 2009, for his extraordinary service to this 
Nation. Charles will be presented with the prestigious Silver Star 
Medal for his heroic role in combat against an overwhelming Viet Cong 
force at the Battle of Binh Gia, South Vietnam, on December 29, 1964. 
In addition, he will be awarded the Bronze Star Medal in honor of the 2 
years, 1 month, and 24 days he spent in brutal jungle captivity as a 
prisoner of war--and the Bronze Star Medal with a ``V'' (valor) device 
for his outstanding achievement in smuggling out critical information 
for the United States--risking further retribution--I might add. 
Indeed, all Americans owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Charles for 
his inexhaustible service to this country contributions that we will 
never forget and that truly epitomize the valor of every man and woman 
courageous enough to wear our Nation's uniform.
  In fact, a year before most Americans became aware that there was a 
violent war being fought against the democratic government of South 
Vietnam, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained as a radio 
operator. Then, in November of 1964, he was sent to Saigon and became a 
military advisor to the Army of South Vietnam, ARVN, which was engaged 
in a bloody struggle against the Viet Cong insurgents.
  That December, as Viet Cong forces attacked and held the village of 
Binh Gia which is located about 50 miles east of Saigon, Private 
Crafts, in his capacity as the radio operator for Sergeant Harold 
George Bennett, accompanied the 33rd ARVN Ranger Battalion in an 
attempt to retake Binh Gia. As they approached the village, their much 
smaller force of approximately 350 men came under heavy fire from an 
enemy force that was later estimated to be near 5,000 strong.
  The majority of the ARVN Rangers were killed, wounded, or captured 
during the horrific battle that followed, but despite all of the 
challenges, Crafts successfully rebuffed attempts by the Viet Cong to 
jam radio transmissions during the deadly carnage around them. And due 
to his deft and flawless operation of their portable radio, they were 
able to warn approaching American helicopter pilots not to attempt a 
rescue of them in the Viet Cong killing zone.
  Shortly thereafter, Sergeant Bennett and Private Crafts were captured 
as prisoners of war--forced to survive disease including several bouts 
of malaria, as well as malnutrition and even terrible retribution for 
attempting to escape--being told, on myriad occasions, that, ``dying is 
easy; surviving is much more difficult.''
  Both Crafts and Bennett would later be joined by CPT Donald G. Cook, 
a U.S. Marine Corps officer who was severely wounded at Binh Gia 2 days 
after their capture. And under the steadfast leadership of Captain 
Cook, all upheld the military Code of Conduct to the utmost of their 
individual ability while resisting frequent Viet Cong interrogation and 
indoctrination sessions--facing untold hardships on behalf of each and 
every American. These brave men, in the face of such profound 
adversity, sustained themselves by their faith, trust in their country, 
and above all, each other.
  And through all of the trials and tribulations, in light of the 
countless reasons to give up hope, Charles remained resolute--and that 
unwavering determination to survive and to return home came to fruition 
as the Viet Cong political leadership decided to release two American 
POWs, choosing Charles and Sgt Sammie Womack. A brief ceremony was held 
on February 16, 1967, in the midst of the jungle, but it was after they 
boarded a Vietnamese bus, stopping at a U.S. military checkpoint, that 
they again tasted freedom on February 23 that our Nation holds so dear. 
And as if all that Crafts had endured and accomplished had not been 
enough, he smuggled documents out of the jungle, providing even further 
intelligence for our country.
  Following several months of hospitalization--growing stronger with 
each passing day--Charles was honorably discharged on May 17, 1967, 
with the rank of specialist four class, E-4. Throughout the entire 
ordeal, his parents, the late Leroy Bradford Crafts and Virginia 
(Voter) Crafts, never gave up hope for the return of their only son. 
And return to Maine he did to a welcoming and loving family, to a most 
grateful community and State, and, although he didn't know it at the 
time, his future wife Juanita during a ceremony where his high school 
alma mater dedicated their yearbook to him. Now that is fate!
  Throughout his entire life--from his time at International Paper 
Company to his role as a national service officer for the Disabled 
American Veterans and, of course, his tireless service to this country 
while serving in the Army--Charles has exemplified the very best that 
this Nation has to offer, and he is a shining example for why we 
celebrate Veterans Day every year.
  It goes without saying that Charles Crafts is a true American hero 
who risked his life, time and again, so that our lives could be better. 
There are no words to adequately thank or appropriately honor Charles 
for all that he has done, but it gives me, and surely everyone in 
Maine, immeasurable pride that the Department of the Army has now 
approved three awards for Charles Earle Crafts: the Silver Star Medal 
for gallantry in action during the Battle of Binh Gia, on December 29, 
1964, the Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device for valorous achievement 
in smuggling out several documents--hiding those documents among his 
few possessions and memorizing those which he was unable to sneak past 
the guards--and finally, the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service 
while caring for his fellow prisoners under extreme duress by his 
captors.
  These awards reflect Charles' unending patriotism and boundless 
spirit that, quite literally, saved lives and made this country 
stronger. And as we laud Charles for his limitless contributions to our 
Nation, I cannot help but also thank Retired Colonel Doug Moore, whose 
sterling efforts over the past decade were critical to collecting and 
providing the necessary information to ensure this fitting recognition 
for Charles' heroic service in Vietnam.
  I could not be more pleased to join with Charles' friends and family 
in celebrating these phenomenal accolades and his remarkable service 
with his wife of 15 years, Juanita; his son, Jason, and wife, Julie, of 
Jay, ME; his two stepsons, Alan Levesque of Lewiston, ME, and Andy 
Levesque and fiancee Tara Averill of Poland, ME; his two sisters, 
Patricia Ridley of Wilton, ME, and Ann Crafts of North Jay, ME; as well 
as his four grandchildren, soon to be five--Sarah, Emma, Whitney and 
Bailey. It goes without saying that families and loved ones are 
undeniable pillars of strength for their tireless support and 
indispensable devotion to our veterans and to our country.
  The enduring truth is that neither a single day nor single ceremony 
is enough to honor America's veterans. We owe them and we owe Charles 
Crafts our praise and thanks on every day that we enjoy the blessings 
of liberty and benefits of security. These medals presented to Charles 
will be a lasting testament, commemorating his unflagging spirit of 
placing love of homeland above all else which has been the string upon 
which our pearls of freedom, liberty, and democracy have always been 
strung.

                          ____________________