[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1835]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                 REMEMBERING PETTY OFFICER JOHN BALDWIN

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a World War 
II veteran and an American hero--PO3 John B. Baldwin. Petty Officer 
Baldwin was a member of the United States Navy Reserve and sailed on 
the USS St. Louis. Tragically, on February 14, 1944, he died as a 
result of enemy fire during the Battle of the Green Islands.
  Petty Officer Baldwin's sister--Ms. Irene Baldwin Cox of Beaver, UT--
recently informed me that her brother had earned prestigious military 
medals, which neither he nor his family ever received. As a result of 
John's dedicated service during the battle that besieged the USS St. 
Louis, he earned the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, the 
American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two 
Bronze Star appurtenances, and a Combat Action Ribbon. Thankfully, the 
military has since verified John's medals and will soon present them to 
the Baldwin family.
  As we approach the anniversary of this historic battle, we should 
remember the challenges Petty Officer Baldwin and his fellow soldiers 
faced on that fateful day. At dawn, American fighters sighted six Aichi 
D3A dive bombers, which approached the St. Louis and dropped six bombs, 
killing 23 sailors and wounding 20 more. Petty Officer Baldwin was 
among the fallen.
  The Baldwin family has always been proud of John's service. We owe 
this family a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. It is only 
fitting that we present John's siblings with the medals he earned for 
his heroism. I am grateful for the assistance of the USS St. Louis CL-
49 Association and the National Personnel Records Center for helping me 
secure these medals for the Baldwin family.
  I hold our Nation's veterans in the highest regard. Because of men 
and women like Petty Officer Baldwin, our Nation enjoys the full 
blessings of liberty. I am pleased that these medals have finally found 
their rightful home. May they ever serve as a testament to John's valor 
and his love of freedom.
  This Valentine's Day, I intend to spend a moment reflecting on the 
bravery of our sailors who served aboard the USS St. Louis. Today I 
honor them for their courage, their selflessness, and their sacrifice.

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