[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 11896-11897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING DONALD J. RUHL

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, this weekend, the citizens of Greybull, 
WY gather to dedicate a monument at the Donald J. Ruhl Memorial 
Cemetery. This monument is the culmination of the hopes, dreams and 
hard work of dozens of people in the community. A true American hero 
was laid to rest in their cemetery, and these committed individuals 
wanted his memory to be honored forever. Donald served our Nation 
during World War II as a marine. His bravery and ultimate sacrifice

[[Page 11897]]

earned him our Nation's most distinguished recognition, the Medal of 
Honor.
  Donald J. ``Johnny'' Ruhl, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 
September 12, 1942. Immediately going on active duty, the new recruit 
used his lifelong experience with firearms to qualify as a 
sharpshooter, and demonstrated his endurance by becoming a combat 
swimmer. Following his exemplary performance at boot camp, Private Ruhl 
volunteered for Parachute Training School. At the conclusion of this 5-
week training, Ruhl was promoted to private first class and assigned to 
further training in New Caledonia.
  He first saw combat at Bougainville, but it was his actions at Iwo 
Jima that truly demonstrated his heroism. In February 1945, Johnny 
departed from Saipan aboard the USS LST 481, headed for the shores of 
Iwo Jima. Private First Class Ruhl displayed his courage from the onset 
of D-day at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Johnny recognized his role 
early on in the battle attacking a group of eight Japanese soldiers 
single-handedly. Private First Class Ruhl confirmed his valor and 
bravery by risking his own life to rescue a marine wounded ahead of the 
front line--ensuring that the man was transported to an aid station, 
regardless of the threat to Ruhl.
  Ruhl continued to establish his commitment to the cause by returning 
from the aid station to voluntarily investigate an abandoned Japanese 
gun emplacement. With boundless courage, he prevented the enemy from 
regaining possession of the valuable site by occupying the position 
throughout the night. On February 21, Johnny demonstrated his true 
selfless nature. As Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine 
Division pushed forward on their quest to capture Mount Suribachi, 
Private First Class Ruhl along with his platoon guide, pressed their 
position to the top of a Japanese bunker. As the marines prepared to 
fire upon the enemy troops, a grenade landed between them. While 
notifying the platoon guide, Ruhl dove onto the grenade, absorbing the 
full detonation with his body. This sacrifice saved the lives of all of 
the nearby marines. Thanks in great part to this selfless act, Company 
E was able to raise an American flag on the top of Mount Suribachi.
  In awarding Private First Class Ruhl the Medal of Honor posthumously, 
President Truman recognized Johnny's efforts, stating ``An indomitable 
fighter, PFC Ruhl rendered heroic service toward the defeat of a 
ruthless enemy.'' . . . Certainly Truman was correct when he continued 
praising Ruhl's dedication to our Nation and his fellow marines, ``. . 
. his valor, initiative and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the 
face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest 
traditions of the United States Naval Service.''
  PFC Donald J. Ruhl embodied the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, 
committing his life, and his death, to loyalty to the Corps and his 
country. The community of Greybull has done well to recognize this 
hero. They have demonstrated their faithfulness to his memory by 
renaming his eternal resting place. His gift to our country will never 
be forgotten--in passing his memorial, we will forever know that Donald 
J. Ruhl gave all so our country could remain free.

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