[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATING MAJOR STEPHEN J. BONNER

  (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate my constituent, Major Stephen J. Bonner of the U.S. Air 
Force, who has earned the Congressional Gold Medal for his 
distinguished service as an American fighter pilot with the Flying 
Tigers squadron in World War II.
  Growing up in the 1930s and during World War I, Major Bonner had 
always dreamt of becoming an ace. When he graduated from flight school 
in 1943, his dream came true when he was assigned to fly with the 76th 
Fighter Squadron in China, battling Japanese fighter pilots in his P-40 
Warhawk.
  During his time with the Air Force, Major Bonner became a member of 
the American Fighter Aces, who have been renowned as our country's most 
distinguished fighter pilots. In both world wars, along with the Korean 
war and the Vietnam war, these individuals have not only courageously 
defended our Nation, but have also made outstanding achievements in 
aerial combat.
  Major Bonner, now 96, lives with his daughter Jane just outside 
Carlinville in my district in central Illinois. I am proud to 
congratulate Major Bonner for his outstanding accomplishments as an 
American Fighter Ace.
  The bravery and dedication he displayed as a pilot in World War II 
make him a very deserving recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, 
and I am proud and thankful to have such brave veterans like them in my 
district.
  Congratulations, Mr. Bonner.

                          ____________________