[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10610]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF US NAVAL ARMED GUARD AND AIR FORCE VETERAN CHARLES ARTHUR 
                                ALESHIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2010

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize a Joliet 
citizen and hero of the Greatest Generation, Charles Arthur Aleshire. 
Due to its rapid disbandment and lack of proper records, the efforts of 
members of the Naval Armed Guard Service, such as Mr. Aleshire, have 
been largely overlooked by history. Mr. Aleshire served our country 
with courage and honor when the world turned to the United States to 
fight tyranny and oppression in World War II.
  Mr. Aleshire volunteered when he was just 17 to join the U.S. Navy 
Armed Guard service and protect vital supplies and troops necessary for 
the war effort. His service took him around the world, to South America 
where he watched for German U-Boats, to the invasion of Okinawa, where 
he and his shipmates faced Japanese kamikaze attacks on their fleet. On 
February 18th, 1946, his 21st birthday, he was honorably discharged as 
a Coxswain at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.
  However, his service to our country did not end there. In 1948, Mr. 
Aleshire entered the Air Force, and was assigned to the 509th 
Bombardment Wing, as an Airframe Repair Specialist. This unit served as 
the core of the newly formed Strategic Air Command. Mr. Aleshire was on 
active duty during some of the most dangerous conflicts and crises of 
the 20th century, including the Korean War, the Berlin Airlift, and the 
Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1966.
  An indebted country cannot thank Mr. Aleshire and so many other brave 
man and women enough for their selfless sacrifice. His admirable 
service to our country is in keeping with the highest traditions of 
honor and service displayed by our armed forces, and is an example to 
all Americans.

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