[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16609-16610]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HONORING DONALD SINGER

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor of Col. 
Donald M. Singer, an airman who fought in Vietnam and a hero of 
America.
  Donald and his wife Elizabeth had four children.
  He was stationed as an Electronic Warfare Officer at Barksdale Air 
Force Base in Louisiana. This Nation called Donald Singer to service in 
Vietnam in April of 1966. After training in California and before his 
deployment overseas, Donald got to attend the confirmation of his 
oldest daughter, 10-year-old Susan. That was the last time Susan saw 
her dad.
  Maj. Donald Singer was selected to be part of an elite group of 
airmen known as the ``Wild Weasels.'' In August of 1966, on a mission 
north of Hanoi, North Vietnamese forces shot down his F-105 fighter 
jet. Both men on board ejected.
  Nobody knows exactly what happened after that. But reports indicate 
Donald's parachute never fully opened. And he was never heard from 
again. The U.S. Government considered Donald missing in action and 
despite his status, promoted him to the rank of colonel.
  Eleven years later, in 1977, the Singer family got a phone call. 
Donald's remains had been found. And at last, he was coming home to the 
United States. Today, Colonel Singer's remains rest at Arlington 
National Cemetery.
  Although Colonel Singer was a decorated airman, his family never 
received all the honors he earned in service to this Nation.
  It was my honor to present them to his daughter Susan, on her 
birthday, December 7, 2012. On behalf of a grateful nation, I presented 
Col. Donald

[[Page 16610]]

Singer's Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, and his 
Presidential Unit Citation.
  It was also my honor to present the Bronze Service Star for the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm Ribbon, and the Bronze Service Star for the Vietnam Service 
Medal.
  These decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of 
true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  They are presented on behalf of a nation that will never forget 
Donald Singer's heroism.

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