[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RAYMOND MEDER

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I honor Raymond Meder and his 
service to the Army of the United States during World War Two.
  Raymond arrived in Normandy 6 days after D-day and went on to fight 
in the frigid Battle of the Bulge. After that defining battle, Raymond 
Meder and his commanding officer were ordered to take a jeep full of 
ammunition to the front line--in German territory.
  A mortar exploded in front of Raymond's jeep, flipping it over. The 
crash shattered Raymond's wrist and he suffered from shrapnel in his 
leg. Still under heavy fire, Raymond Meder crawled to the side of the 
road and covered his commanding officer with his own body. Sadly, that 
officer never made it. But Raymond returned fire through the night and 
into the morning with a machine gun until reinforcements arrived.
  In a hospital in France, Raymond Meder was visited by an Army captain 
who told him, ``You'll earn medals for this.''
  Yes, he earned them. But he never received them.
  Three weeks later, Raymond returned to the battlefield. His wrist was 
deformed for the rest of his life. He never complained. And his 
military records were destroyed by a 1973 fire in St. Louis.
  Raymond Meder passed away just a few months ago, on March 30. His son 
Ray and daughter-in-law Corine started asking questions about Raymond's 
service. Last month I had the honor of presenting to his family Raymond 
Meder's Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, World War Two 
Victory Medal and Honorable Service Lapel Button.
  These may be small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true 
heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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