[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6122]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING FRED DE ROCHE

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Fred D. De Roche, a 
decorated World War II veteran, Blackfeet tribal member, and lifelong 
resident of Browning, MT.
  Fred was killed in action, bravely defending this Nation, so I will 
be presenting his son, Art De Roche, with the medals his father earned 
during World War II.
  Art, on behalf of myself, my fellow Montanans, and my fellow 
Americans, I would like to acknowledge your father's gallant service to 
this Nation and thank you for the sacrifices you have made, losing your 
father at such a young age.
  Fred was born on April 3, 1924, to Charlie and Annie De Roche in 
Browning, MT.
  He grew up with many siblings, raising cows and horses on his 
family's ranch on the Blackfeet reservation.
  He eventually met his wife, Mildred Underbear, and soon after getting 
married, the couple discovered they were pregnant.
  As many of you know, Native Americans have always exhibited a deep 
and profound love of country, enlisting in the military at higher rates 
than any other ethnic group.
  Fred was no different. In fact, Fred had enlisted in the Army earlier 
that year, alongside his cousin, Billy Wolftail.
  In the ultimate act of patriotism, Fred deployed before his son, Art, 
was born on February 11, 1943.
  Fred was sent to Belgium, where he served as a private in the 
Headquarters Company's 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.
  It was there that Fred earned his Bronze Star Medal on October 15, 
1944, for meritorious achievement in active ground combat.
  A little more than 2 months later, on December 21, 1944, Fred fought 
his last battle in courageous service to this great Nation.
  He was awarded a Purple Heart for his valor and bravery.
  On Memorial Day 2015, the Blackfeet Nation was honored at the Montana 
Veterans Memorial in Great Falls.
  I was proud to be the main speaker at that event, where 162 tiles 
were added to the walls of the memorial, in recognition of military 
veterans from the Blackfeet Nation. Mr. Fred DeRoche was one of the 
names added that day.
  Fred died in battle, but his spirit and legacy live on in his son, 
Art, who I have the distinct pleasure of being here with today.
  Art was raised by his great-grandmother, Rosie Big Beaver, on the 
Blackfeet reservation.
  He grew up in Browning, married his wife, Shirley, and together, they 
raised three beautiful children here: Arthur, Jr., David James, and 
Jolene Anne.
  Thank you all for being here to celebrate Fred's life and legacy of 
service to our State, the Blackfeet people, and this great Nation.
  I have the profound honor of presenting Fred's son, Art De Roche, 
with his father's medals: Bronze Star; Purple Heart; European-African-
Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star; World War 
II Victory Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Belgian Fourragere; and 
Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.
  Art, these medals serve as a small token of our country's 
appreciation for your father's heroic service and profound sacrifice.
  He is truly an American hero, and we are eternally grateful for his 
service.

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