[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16573]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING COLONEL ELIOT NATHANIEL PEARL

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I wish to express our Nation's deepest 
thanks and to honor the life of Col. Eliot N. Pearl, U.S. Air Force 
(Ret.). On July 12, 2014, Colonel Pearl died at the age of 95 
peacefully at his home in Silver Spring, MD.
  Today, Colonel Pearl's family will lay him to rest at Arlington 
National Cemetery with full military honors in recognition of his 36 
years of service to our Nation. In 1939, Eliot graduated from the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Instead of becoming a doctor, 
Eliot chose to serve his Nation during World War II, much to the 
chagrin of his father. He was commissioned into the Army Air Corps and 
served as a cryptographic message center officer. Colonel Pearl served 
two active duty tours in World War II and the Korean war including a 
deployment to Panama. Colonel Pearl was also one of the founding 
instructors of the Department of Defense's cryptology schoolhouse.
  After Colonel Pearl separated from active duty service, he continued 
to serve our Nation in the Air Force Reserve for another 25 years 
concurrently working as a cryptologist at the National Security Agency, 
Fort Meade, MD.
  On August 16, 1978, Colonel Pearl retired from the Air Force. He was 
awarded the American Theater Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, 
and National Defense Service Medal.
  We continue to live safe and free because of individuals like Colonel 
Pearl. He committed his life to serving our Nation while in uniform and 
as a civilian. Eliot defended our Nation and led the way for the next 
generation that will secure our future.
  Colonel Pearl's beloved son David and his beloved second wife Joyce, 
preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons, Mark A. Pearl 
(Pamela), Scott M. Pearl (Renee) and Geoffrey B. Anthony Pearl; five 
loving grandchildren: David, Vincent, Samuel, Anthony and Daniel; his 
devoted sister Eva Erony; his first wife Thelma Pearl; his loving niece 
Susan Erony (Jay Jaroslav); and his nephew Alan Erony.
  As we say goodbye, we also say thank you for your service that keeps 
our Nation strong and free. May God bless Colonel Pearl and his family, 
and welcome him with open arms.

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