[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16581-16582]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING LT. COLONEL THOMAS PLOURDE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 2, 2011

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lt. Colonel 
Thomas Plourde of Lewiston, Maine. Plourde was a member of the 100th 
Battalion, 442nd Japanese American Combat Team in World War II, all of 
whom will be receiving Congressional Gold Medals today.
  The 442nd Combat Team was comprised almost entirely of Japanese 
Americans, men who volunteered to fight tyranny and oppression abroad 
even while their families were interred in camps at home. For its size 
and length of service, it was the most decorated unit in the entire 
history of the United States military. In the course of their service, 
the 442nd earned 9,486 Purple Hearts, eight Presidential Unit 
Citations, and 21 Medals of Honor. These brave men fought with 
unparalleled skill and valor winning tremendous victories for the 
allies in Europe. Their heroism cannot be overstated.
  At just 23 years old at the time of his enlistment, Thomas Plourde 
would serve as a 1st Lieutenant before rising to become a company 
commander for the 442nd. Following a decisive victory in the allied 
push to liberate Italy, Lieutenant Plourde led a task force that 
secured the capture of 33 German officers and over 300 soldiers in the 
city of Alessandria. For his actions, he was awarded a division 
citation and accepted the key to Alessandria on behalf of his 
battalion. Subsequently Plourde would receive a field promotion to the 
rank of Captain, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Distinguished 
Unit Badge for his heroism. Citing his effectiveness under fire and his 
personal concern for the men under his command, Plourde's commanding 
officer Major Mitsuyoshi Fukuda wrote that he had ``won the highest 
respect from both the men and the officers within the 100th 
Battalion.''
  Today, Thomas Plourde's daughter, Janet Barrett, will accept the 
Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of her father for his courageous 
service in the war. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest 
civilian award in the United States. The decoration is awarded to an 
individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service for the 
security, prosperity, and national interest of the country. Mainers 
have a long tradition of service in the armed forces. I am proud of Lt. 
Colonel Plourde's place in that history. His remarkable leadership and 
heroism in the face of unspeakable evil will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Lt. Colonel Thomas Plourde of 
Lewiston, Maine, for his distinguished service to this country.

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