[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12512-12513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF CW3 GEORGE ANDREWS (``ANDY'') 
                                 HOWES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2011

  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to solemnly honor 
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) George Andrews (``Andy'') Howes for his 
dedication and service to the United States of America. CW3 Howes was 
listed as missing in action on January 10, 1970 when the helicopter he 
was co-piloting disappeared in Vietnam. He was just 19 years old.
  The remains of CW3 Howes were returned in 1988; however, they were 
not identified until 2010 through an advance in DNA technology. Nearly 
41 years after his disappearance, CW3 Howes' surviving family was 
notified that Andy was found at last. He could finally receive the 
honor and recognition he earned for his service and for his ultimate 
sacrifice.

[[Page 12513]]

  Andy Howes was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1950 and his family 
moved to Knox, Indiana in 1956. He graduated from Knox High School in 
1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Army that September. He received his 
wings in August 1969 and was then deployed to Vietnam.
  CW3 Howes flew helicopter gunships while assigned to the 71st 
Aviation Company, 16th Aviation Group and America Division. He flew 
with the Firebirds, a distinguished and decorated gunship unit based in 
Chu Lai, South Vietnam. On January 10, 1970, a helicopter piloted by 
Capt. Herbert Crosby and co-piloted by CW3 Howes disappeared while 
flying in extreme weather conditions. In addition to Capt. Crosby and 
CW3 Howes, crew members SFS Francis Graziosi and SFS Wayne Allen were 
lost in the helicopter's disappearance. All of Andy's crew mates have 
been previously identified, making Andy the last of the crew to return 
home. Marine Cpl Michael L. Bleeker, his great-nephew, is escorting his 
remains from Hawaii to Knox, and then to Arlington National Cemetery 
for burial.
  CW3 Howes has been awarded the following medals to honor his service 
and sacrifice: Air Medal with Numeral Two, National Defense Medal, 
Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service stars, Vietnam Campaign 
Medal with ``60'' Device, Basic Aviation Badge, the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Purple Heart.
  Andy is survived by his brother, Robert Lloyd Howes of Wichita, 
Kansas, in addition to many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom 
have kept his memory alive and faithfully waited for the day he would 
come home. Andy's parents, Robert Lindell Howes and Bonnie Andrews 
Howes have passed away, as has his sister, Valerie Pulver Larew.
  It is my solemn duty, and humble privilege, to honor and remember CW3 
George Andrews Howes and a life cut tragically short. Andy stands as a 
testament to the great honor possessed, and sacrifices made, by our men 
and women in the armed forces, and their families. Those who were 
fortunate enough to know him were blessed by his presence--and we are 
all diminished by his loss. I and the grateful citizens of Indiana's 
Second District are deeply grateful that Andy is back home. We mourn 
his passing and offer our solemn gratitude for his service.

                          ____________________