[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4983]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING CORPORAL RICHARD VANA FOR ACTIONS DURING WORLD WAR II

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                          HON. ROBERT J. DOLD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 14, 2015

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Corporal Richard 
Vana of the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Vana served during 
World War II and fought valiantly during the Battle of Okinawa. As a 
member of the Marine Raiders, Corporal Vana was just one of a small 
group who survived all 99 days of this bloody campaign.
  On June 1, 1945 Corporal Vana was rejoining his company after filling 
in a defensive position when he came under mortar fire from the 
Japanese. During this mortar attack, Vana took shelter in a foxhole 
with another marine. Within moments, a neighboring foxhole was struck 
by mortar fire, and one of Corporal Vana's comrades was severely 
wounded. Under constant enemy fire, Corporal Vana and another marine, 
PFC Stuart Upchurch, helped to rescue the wounded marine and take him 
to shelter from the enemy. Corporal Vana and PFC Upchurch performed 
emergency lifesaving medical procedures until a Navy corpsman could 
provide assistance.
  Without the heroic actions of Corporal Vana and PFC Upchurch the 
wounded marine surely would have died from his wounds. Their life-
saving action upheld the motto of the Marine Corps. The unwavering 
courage and gallantry of Corporal Vana deserves the utmost respect and 
gratitude. These actions reflect great credit upon Corporal Vana, his 
unit, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the United States of 
America.

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