Rick Crawford

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following: [Researched by SGM Mike R. Vining, USA Retired] This is a list of Army Bomb Disposal/Explosive Ordnance Disposal deaths involving either training, performing bomb disposal duties, or involvement in combat or post combat operations regardless of duty assignment at the time of death or illness resulting in death. American Battle Monuments Commission--WWII: All the below profiles marked with (*) are listed on this website. Type in their last name [leave a space] first name and hit the search button. American Battle Monuments Commission--Korea: All the below profiles marked with (+) are listed on this website. Type in their last name [leave a space] first name and hit the search button. 1. PVT C.E. Mullenix was killed on 15 May 1943. A report from the 10th Bomb Disposal Squad states that on 15 May 1943, PVT C. E. Mullenix was killed by an explosion during training at Aberdeen, Maryland. 2LT Jesse F. Donovan and PVT D. J. Kueter were also injured in the same accident. 2LT Donovan and PVT Kueter were briefly hospitalized and released. It is believed by a roommate of PVT Mullenix that they were on a work detail to move unstable WWI artillery rounds. No other details given. This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired) with additional information provided by Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. 2. PFC Laurence C. Paystrup was killed and SGT Ira Wiggins was mortally wounded on 26 May 1943. SGT Wiggins died from his wounds on 27 May 1943. PFC Paystrup and SGT Wiggins were assigned to the 2nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. Their deaths were the result of five M9A1 anti-tank rifle grenades falling from a truck and detonating at Speitla, Tunisia. Additional Facts: Born: 6 July 1919; Age: 23; Home State: Utah; Buried: Levan Cemetery, Levan, Utah. Find-A-Grave--PFC Paystrup 3. SGT Ira Wiggins was mortally wounded and PFC Laurence C. Paystrup were killed and on 26 May 1943. SGT Wiggins died from his wounds on 27 May 1943. SGT Wiggins and PFC Paystrup were assigned to the 2nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. Their deaths were the result of five M9A1 anti-tank rifle grenades falling from a truck and detonating at Speitla, Tunisia. 4. CPT Frederick Harrison ``Harrison'' Dillon and 1LT Steven ``Steve'' Todorovich, Jr. were presumed killed on 10 October 1943. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were assigned to the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). CPT Dillon was commander of the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). CPT Dillon and 1LT Tordorvich were listed as passenger onboard a North American B-25C Mitchell bomber (Serial Number 42-6451) that departed at 1420 hours, 10 October 1943. The aircraft was armed with only seven .50 caliber machineguns. The aircraft was flying a ``ferry'' route between Algiers, Algeria and Tunis, Tunisia when the aircraft disappeared and presumed crashed somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers was the Headquarters for Allied Forces in North Africa and it is assumed that CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were traveling on official bomb disposal business. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were likely scheduled to make a connecting flight from Tunis to Naples, Italy. At the time of their disappearance their duty location was Palermo, Sicily. Despite investigations by the Army Air Force, neither wreckage, nor remains have been recovered. CPT Dillon is listed as missing-in-action, non-battle casualty. Also listed as missing in action on the flight is the pilot 1LT Herbert L. Hastings, copilot 2LT Ray Brown Lobdell, and crew chief S/Sgt William B. Brezee of 379th Bomber Squadron, 310th Bomber Group, Medium, 12th Air Force, and a third passenger CPT Lewis T. Stoneburner III, Medical Corps, 45th General Hospital. Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances. Source Documents: Missing Air Crew Report No. 1102, 27 October 1943 and Routine Casualty Report No. 26121, 21 November 1943. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. was instrumental in obtaining these documents and conducting this research. Additional information was provided by Ed Dillon, Major USAF (Retired), a cousin of CPT F.H. Dillon. Additional Facts: Service Number: O1548195; Born: February 1918, Utica, New York, Age: 25; Home State: New York; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy (*). Find-A-Grave--CPT Dillon Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``D'' 5. 1LT Steven ``Steve'' Todorovich, Jr. and CPT Frederick Harrison ``Harrison'' Dillon were presumed killed on 10 October 1943. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were assigned to the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). 1LT Todorovich was commander of the 1st Platoon of the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). 1LT Tordorvich and CPT Dillon were listed as passenger onboard a North American B-25C Mitchell bomber (Serial Number 42-6451) that departed at 1420 hours, 10 October 1943. The aircraft was armed with only seven .50 caliber machineguns. The aircraft was flying a ``ferry'' route between Algiers, Algeria and Tunis, Tunisia when the aircraft disappeared and presumed crashed somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers was the Headquarters for Allied Forces in North Africa and it is assumed that 1LT Todorovich and CPT Dillon were traveling on official bomb disposal business. 1LT Todorovich and CPT Dillon were likely scheduled to make a connecting flight from Tunis to Naples, Italy. At the time of their disappearance their duty location was Palermo, Sicily. Despite investigations by the Army Air Force, neither wreckage, nor remains have been recovered. At the time of their disappearance their duty location was Palermo, Sicily. 1LT Todorovich is listed as missing-in-action, non-battle casualty. Also listed as missing in action on the flight is the pilot 1LT Herbert L. Hastings, copilot 2LT Ray Brown Lobdell, and crew chief S/Sgt William B. Brezee of 379th Bomber Squadron, 310th Bomber Group, Medium, 12th Air Force, and a third passenger CPT Lewis T. Stoneburner III, Medical Corps, 45th General Hospital. Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances. Source Documents: Missing Air Crew Report No. 1102, 27 October 1943 and Routine Casualty Report No. 26121, 21 November 1943. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. was instrumental in obtaining these documents and conducting this research. Additional information was provided by Ed Dillon, Major USAF (Retired), a cousin of CPT F.H. Dillon. Additional Facts: Service Number: O1550517; Home State: Maryland; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy (*). Find-A-Grave--1LT Todorovich Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``T'' 6. T/5 CPL Herbert M. Paszotta was killed on 11 November 1943. T/5 CPL Paszotta was assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL Paszotta died from injuries he received in an accident involving two trucks in the vicinity of Paestum, Italy. Note: From LTC Bob Leiendecker, USA (Retied): I have a document that lists a T/5 Panzota as one of the original members of the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad when it was activated on 17 February 1943. Then another document says, quote, ``CPL Herbert Pazsotta was killed in an accident today. His loss is keenly felt by members of both squads,'' end quote. That entry was on 11 November 1943. Additional Facts: Service Number: 35369347; Home State: Indiana; Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy, Plot: C, Row: 6, Grave: 46 (*). Find-A-Grave T/5 CPL Paszotta 7. T/5 CPL Philip J. Zore was killed on 20 May 1944. T/5 CPL Zore was assigned to the 142nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. Note: From LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired): I have a copy of the History of the 142nd Bomb Disposal Squad for May 1944 and I will quote the entry in it. Members of the squad were at a farewell dance for members of the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) that had been deactivated. T15 CPL Zore had been chosen from the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) along with others to be a charter member of the new 142nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. The dance was in honor of those that had not been placed in squads and would be soon departing. The date for the dance was 19 May 1944 and arrangements were made to have (chaperoned) Woman Army Corps (WACs) personnel on hand along with several Italian women (Signorinas). 142nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad history: Quote, ``At the conclusion of the dance the drivers prepared their 6x6's for the taxi service afforded the Signorinas. The girls were taken home and the drivers returned. T15 CPL Zore, one of the designated drivers, asked for special permission to escort his (new girl) friend home and it was granted. Although much of the mystery has not been cleared, whether it was foul play or just accidental, Zore's body was found afloat (in a pond) not far from the home of his (girl) friend the following morning. Since the victim was one of the author's closest friends he has chosen not to dwell on the subject any more than possible, but he feels his death should be recorded in our history as a memorial to his friendship'' unquote. Zore's vehicle was not found. One of Zore's buddies identified his corpse, and remembered this puzzling incident long afterward. Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances. Additional Facts: Service Number: 36252406; Home State: Wisconsin; Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy, Plot: F, Row: 3, Grave: 36 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Zore 8. T/5 CPL Norman Reynolds and PVT Joseph T. Seredinski were presumed killed on 17 August 1944. T/5 CPL Reynolds and PVT Seredinski were assigned to the 4th Platoon, 234th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They were involved in an explosion at an ammunition storage dump. T15 CPL Reynolds and PVT Seredinski are listed as missing-in-action. Additional Facts: Service Number: 31135327; Home State: Massachusetts; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, France (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Reynolds Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``R'' 9. PVT Joseph T. Seredinski and T/5 CPL Norman Reynolds were presumed killed on 17 August 1944. PVT Seredinski and T/ 5 CPL Reynolds were assigned to the 4th Platoon, 234th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They were involved in an explosion at an ammunition storage dump. PVT Seredinski and T/5 CPL Ryenolds are listed as missing-in-action. Additional Facts: Service Number: 33333852; Home State: Pennsylvania; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, France (*). Find-A-Grave--PVT Seredinski Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``S'' 10. T/SGT James H. Eberle was killed on 23 August 1944. T/ SGT Eberle was assigned to the 151st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/SGT Eberle was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 36071153; Home State: Illinois; Buried: Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Italy, Plot: F, Row: 8, Grave: 28 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Eberle 11. T/5 CPL Elmer L. Allison and T/5 CPL Joseph Kozic were killed on 16 October 1944. T/5 CPL Allison and T/5 CPL Kozic were assigned to the 134th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were involved in a minefield accident. 12. T/5 CPL Joseph Kozic and T/5 CPL Elmer L. Allison were killed on 16 October 1944. T/5 CPL Kozic and T/5 CPL Allison were assigned to the 134th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were involved in a minefield accident. 13. T/SGT Joseph Michel, Jr. and T/5 CPL Paul F. Tyler were killed on 7 January 1945. T/SGT Michel and T/5 CPL Tyler were assigned to the 45th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were killed during enemy action. Additional Facts: Service Number: 12061912; Home State: New York; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, St. Avold, France, Plot: B, Row: 14, Grave: 47. Find-A-Grave--T/ SGT Michel 14. T/5 CPL Paul F. Tyler and T/SGT Joseph Michel, Jr. were killed on 7 January 1945. T/5 CPL Tyler and T/SGT Michel were assigned to the 45th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were killed during enemy action. Additional Facts: Service Number: 32305466; Home State: New Jersey; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, St. Avold, France, Plot: C, Row: 18, Grave: 96. Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Tyler 15. SGT John H. Baxley was killed on 1 February 1945 according to Army historical bomb disposal records. SGT Baxley was assigned to the 30th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate) in Belgium. SGT Baxley was killed while attempting to inert a dangerous German anti-tank projectile near Verviers, Belgium. Additional Facts: Born: 14 November 1921; Age: 23; Home State: New York; Buried: Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York; Plot: J, 0, 13806. Find-A-Grave--SGT John H. Baxley 16. CPT Bernard E. Anderson was mortally injured on 13 January 1945 and died from wounds on 26 February 1945. CPT Anderson was assigned to the 48th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate). His death was listed as a non-battle casualty. Additional Facts: Service Number: 01556832; Home State: Maryland; Burial: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, England, Plot: F, Row: 6, Grave 125. Find-A-Grave--CPT Anderson Note: According to LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA (Retired) records, in March 1945, two members of the 234th Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal) were killed near Heming, France when the unit's truck loaded with hazardous and unserviceable German ammunition exploded. 17. SGT Ernest P. Smith, Jr. and T/5 CPL Joseph V. Tabone were killed on 12 March 1945. SGT Smith and T/5 Tabone were assigned to the 177th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. SGT Smith was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 34787310; Home State: Florida; Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Plot: D, Row: 4, Grave: 112 (*). Find-A-Grave--SGT Smith 18. T/5 CPL Joseph V. Tabone and SGT Ernest P. Smith, Jr. were killed on 12 March 1945. T/5 Tabone and SGT Smith were assigned to the 177th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL Tabone was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 32789265; Home State: New York; Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Plot: A, Row: 10, Grave: 63 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Tabone 19. T/5 CPL Dallas Harold Factor and an unknown member of the squad were killed on 14 March 1945. T/5 CPL Factor and the other squad member were assigned to the 26th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL Factor and the other squad member were killed in action by mines while working near Samres, in the Ardennes (Belgium and Luxembourg region). This is formation was provided by SGM James Ferris, USA (Retired). His grave marker states that he was killed on 14 November 1945. Additional Facts: Born: 19 August 1909, Mount Sterling, Illinois; Age: 35; Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa; Buried: Quincy National Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois, Plot: Section: B, 112C. Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Factor Note: A report from the 26th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad states that on 14 March 1945 two members of the squad were killed in action by mines while working in the Ardennes (Belgium and Luxembourg region). Now one of the names is known. This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). 20. T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Leo E. Gonshor, PFC Robert E. Inman, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17 March 1945. T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor, PFC Inman, and PVT Morris were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). T/5 CPL Pinkham was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 31133783; Home State: Massachusetts; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: F, Row: 6, Grave: 59(*) Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Pinkham 21. PFC Leo E. Gonshor, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Robert E. Inman, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17 March 1945. PFC Gonshor, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Inman, and PVT Morris were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). PFC Gonshor was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number 33354443; Home State: Pennsylvania; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: E, Row: 6, Grave: 28 (*). Find-A-Grave--PFC Gonshor 22. PFC Robert E. Inman, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Leo E. Gonshor, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17 March 1945. PFC Inman, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor, and PVT Morris were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). PFC Inman was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 35332453; Home State: Ohio; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: E, Row: 1, Grave: 53 (*). Find-A-Grave--PFC Inman 23. PVT Edward R. Morris, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Leo E. Gonshor and PFC Robert E. Inman were killed on 17 March 1945. PVT Morris, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor and PFC Inman were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). PVT Morris was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 35292391; Home State: West Virginia; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: H, Row: 5, Grave: 65 (*). Find-A-Grave--PVT Morris Note: According to LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA (Retired) records, a member of the 234th Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal) was injured on 13 April 1945. He was admitted to the 51st Evacuation Hospital where he died the following day (14 April 1945) of acute cardiac failure. 24. T/5 CPL Roscoe I. Moore and T/5 CPL Dean A. Shoulders were killed on 18 March 1945. T/5 CPL Moore and T/5 CPL Shoulders were assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate). Their deaths were recorded to had taken place in Germany (no exact location and circumstances are given). This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). Additional Facts: Born: 29 May 1921; Age: 23; Service Number: 39618122; MOS 924; Home State: Petroleum County, Montana; Buried: Custer National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Big Horn County, Montana; Section: D; Site: 69; Remains transferred from Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Netherlands and reinterred on 9 December 1948. Find-A-Grave--T/5 Moore Genealogy Trails--WWII--T/5 Moore 25. T/5 CPL Dean A. Shoulders and T/5 CPL Roscoe I. Moore were killed on 18 March 1945. T/5 CPL Shoulders and T/5 CPL Moore were assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Separate). Their deaths were recorded to had taken place in Germany (no exact location and circumstances are given). This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). Additional Facts: Service Number: 32757002; MOS 924; Hometown: National Park, New Jersey. National Park WWII Memorial--National Park NJ--T/5 Shoulders Note: On 13 April 1945 a bomb disposal technician died in a hospital of cardiac failure, while on an incident. The technician was a member of the 234th Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). 26. T/SGT Landon H. Chambers was killed on 16 April 1945. T/SGT Chambers was assigned to the 160th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/SGT Chambers was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 18187385; Born: 13 October 1922, Galveston, Texas; Age: 22; Home State: Texas; Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Netherlands, Plot: I, Row: 7, Grave: 2 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Chambers 27. T/5 CPL Merle W. Fry was presumed killed on 18 April 1945. T/5 CPL Fry was assigned to the 92nd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Fry was assigned to the same unit and presumed killed on the same date as CPT George C. Sarauw, 2LT Arthur J. Zellmer, T/SGT Francis H. Zurn, and T/5 CPL Elmer J. Craddock were killed, and T/5 CPL Raymond J. Rondeau was presumed killed. They are listed on the EOD Memorial. The unit was participating in the assault landing on le Jima (also called le Shima), Okinawa when their vehicle detonated a landmine. T/5 CPL Fry is listed as missing-in-action. T/5 CPL Fry was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 13060083; Home State: New York; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Fry Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``F'' 28. T/SGT Sam A. McCleneghan was killed on 1 May 1945. T/ SGT McCleneghan was assigned to the 125th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. T/SGT McCleneghan was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 37703570; Home State: Colorado; Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Netherlands, Plot: J, Row: 2, Grave: 13 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/SGT McCleneghan 29. T/5 CPL George C. Miller was presumed killed on 6 May 1945. T/5 CPL Miller was assigned to the 234th Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). T/5 Miller is listed as missing-in-action. Additional Facts: Service Number: 35381016; Home State: Ohio; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge, England (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Miller Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``M'' 30. T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger, and T/5 CPL Robert H. Falkenheim were killed on 9 May 1945. T/SGT Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Berger, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third Army. T/SGT Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Berger, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were killed in Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition. T/SGT Colebaugh was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Europe Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 36775329; Home State: Illinois; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: J, Row: 36, Grave: 13 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Colebaugh 31. T/5 CPL Robert H. Falkenheim, T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger and were killed on 9 May 1945. T/5 CPL Falkenheim, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Berger were assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third Army. T/5 CPL Falkenheim, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Berger were killed in Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition. T/5 CPL Falkenheim was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Europe Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 6831089; Home State: Illinois; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: E, Row: 20, Grave: 35 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Falkenheim 32. T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger, T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were killed on 9 May 1945. T/5 CPL Berger, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third Army. T/5 CPL Berger, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 Falkenheim were killed in Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition. T/5 CPL Berger was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Europe Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 42028085; Home State: New York; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: J, Row: 4, Grave: 8 (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Berger 33. 1LT Hugh C. W. Huntley was presumed killed on 24 May 1945. 1LT Huntley was a Flight Engineer assigned to U.S. Army Air Force's XXI Command, 874th Bomber Squadron, 498th Bomber Group, Very Heavy. 1LT Huntley's B-29-65-BW bomber (#44- 69852) ``Filthy Fay III'' (call sign T SQ 26, tail code 26) departed Saipan on 24 May 1945, on an incendiary bombing mission over South Tokyo, Japan, as part of Mission 181 during night of 23-24 May. Five hundred and twenty of 562 B- 29's sent against Tokyo bomb an urban-industrial area south of the Imperial Palace along the west side of the harbor; five other B-29's hit targets of opportunity. Seventeen B- 29's are lost. This is the largest number of B-29's participating in a single mission during World War II. The bomber went missing on 24 May 1945, between Tokyo and the Marinas. There were 11 crewmembers and one passenger aboard the bomber; pilot MAJ Virgil Olds, copilot 2LT Allan W. Rutter, navigator 1LT John Pobicky, Jr., bombardier, CPT Leonard S. Ringo, radio operator S/Sgt Russell D. Faull, radio operator T/Sgt Richard J. Strand, central fire control gunner S/Sgt Glenn M. Flanigan, left gunner S/Sgt Wibur C. Connatser, right gunner Sgt Joseph S. Baniewicz, tail gunner S/Sgt Arthur E. Horn, and passenger CPT Frederick J. Miller. They are listed as missing in action on 25 May 1945. 1LT Huntley was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. 1LT Huntley was a graduate of Army's Bomb Disposal School. This information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) Number 14491. Additional Facts: Service Number (enlisted): 20949939; Service Number (officer): O1550626 Born: 1918; Hometown: Laramie, Wyoming; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii. Missing Air Crew Report Number-- 1LT Huntley POW and MIA--1LT Huntley Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army Air Forces ``H'' 34. LT Alter was killed on 11 June 1945. LT Alter was assigned to the 213th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. LT Alter was killed, while attempting to render safe a U.S. depth bomb. 35. T/5 CPL Robert S. Dearing, Jr. was presumed killed on 10 July 1945. T/5 CPL Dearing was assigned to the 104th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Dearing is listed as missing-in-action. T/5 CPL Dearing was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 34705111; Born: 23 February 1924; Age: 20; Home State: Alabama; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*); Buried: Wislon-Nooe Cemetery, Franklin County, Alabama. Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Dearing (1) Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Dearing (2) Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``D'' 36. T/5 CPL Lester W. Hambly was presumed killed on 10 July 1945. T/5 CPL Hambly was assigned to the 97th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Hambly was last known working in the squad's ammunition holding area. T/5 CPL Hambly is listed as missing-inaction. Additional Facts: Service Number: 39696955; Home State: California; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*). Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Hambly Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``H'' 37. PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., PFC James A. Linton, and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed killed on 30 December 1945. PFC Ekvall, PFC Fahrenbach, PFC Linton, and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K. Tundermann. 2LT Tundennan is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Ekvall is listed as missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 36904368; Home State: Illinois; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*). Find-A-Grave--PFC Ekvall Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``E'' 38. PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC James A. Linton, and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed killed on 30 December 1945. PFC Fahrenbach, PFC Ekvall, PFC Linton, and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K. Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Fahrenbach is listed as missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 42162339; Home State: New York; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*). Find-A-Grave--PFC Fahrenbach Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``F'' 39. PFC James Albert Linton, PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed killed on 30 December 1945. PFC Linton, PFC Ekvall, PFC Fahrenbach, and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K. Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Linton is listed as missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 44024965; Born: 15 September 1926; Age: 19; Home State: Georgia; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*); Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Waycross, Georgia. Find-A-Grave--PFC Linton (1) Find-A-Grave--PFC Linton (2) Defense POW and MIA--Army WWII ``L'' 40. PFC Frank T. Sowers, PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., and PFC James A. Linton were presumed killed on 30 December 1945. PFC Sowers, PFC Ekvall, PFC Fahrenbach, and PFC Linton were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K. Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Sowers in listed as missing-in-action. PFC Sowers was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: 35241397; Home State: Ohio; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*). Find-A-Grave--PFC Sowers Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``S'' Note: According to the ``European Theater of Operations (ETO) Bomb Disposal History,'' pp. 34-35: Forty-three bomb disposal personnel were killed and 68 were injured in the line of duty, excluding losses during combat. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial lists only 32 Army bomb disposal personnel lost their lives in the European Theater of Operations during World War Two. This list adds 28 killed in the ETO and ten killed in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Note: In October of 1946, four men from the 87th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, IX Air Force Command were killed during an explosion in an ammunition storage area near Bremerhaven, Germany. Additionally, two men from the 87th Ordnance Service Squad (Bomb Disposal) were injured and four German prisoners of war that were assisting the squad were killed in the explosion. 41. SGT Doroteo Reyes was killed on 30 May 1947. SGT Reyes was a squad leader assigned to the 77th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad (Philippine Scouts). SGT Reyes was in a motor vehicle accident and died from his injuries, which occurred at 1400 hours, Caba, La Union, Philippines. 42. SFC Thomas L. McDonough and PFC Paul Royal Seymour were killed on 6 September 1950. SFC McDonough and PFC Seymour were assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment, 1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Army. SFC McDonough and PFC Seymour were killed-in-action while fighting the enemy in South Korea. SFC McDonough was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: RA33153496; MOS: 1942; Born: 1917; Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania (+). Korean War Project Remembrance--SFC McDonough 43. PFC Paul Royal Seymour and SFC Thomas L. McDonough were killed on 6 September 1950. PFC Seymour and SFC McDonough were assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment, 1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Army. PFC Seymour and SFC McDonough were killed-inaction while fighting the enemy in South Korea. PFC Seymour was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Additional Facts: Service Number: RAl2351691; MOS: 3924; Born: 1932; Hometown: Keeseville, New York, Buried: Saint Peters Cemetery, Plattsburgh, Pennsylvania (+). Find-A-Grave--PFC Seymour Korean War Project Remembrance--PFC Seymour 44. CPL Earle M. Lockwood, Jr. was killed on 15 September 1950. CPL Lockwood was assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment, 1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Army. He was killed-in-action while fighting the enemy in South Korea. CPL Lockwood was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. CPL Lockwood may have been posthumously promoted to SGT. Additional Facts: Service Number: RA11164944; MOS: 3924; Born: 1930; Hometown: Newtown, Connecticut (+). Korean War Project Remembrance--CPL Lockwood 45. SFC Charles W. Shrider and PFC Raymond D. Stefaniak were killed on 1 October 1951. SFC Shrider and PFC Stefaniak were assigned to the 938th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SFC Shrider and PFC Stefaniak were transporting a trailer full of TNT and Composition ``C'' explosives that was being pulled behind their jeep, when at 1400 hours an explosion occurred in the trailer. Their jeep was hurled forward more than 100 feet, setting it on fire. The explosion ignited five gallons of gasoline that they were carrying. SFC Shrider and PFC Stefaniak were on Longstreet Road and had just pulled into the fenced-off dud disposal area on the Fort Bragg range prior to the accident. SFC Shrider was trapped inside the jeep following the explosion and died instantly. PFC Stefaniak was thrown clear on the right side of the jeep. SFC Cecil Coley and CPL Ben Smith of the range personnel office rushed to the aid of PFC Stefaniak and pulled the injured man clear of the burning jeep. SFC Coley and CPL Smith were unable to reach SFC Shrider, who was slumped inside the jeep, due to the intense flames from the vehicle. PFC Stefaniak was rushed to Womack Army Hospital where he died about an hour later from third-degree burns. LTG John W. Leonard has ordered a board of officers to investigate the accident. Additional Facts: Born: 21 February 1919; Age: 32; Buried: Desenberg Cemetery, Lafayette, Ohio. SFC Shrider's next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mrs. Martha M. Shrider of 226 Green Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Find-A-G-Grave--SFC Shrider 46. PFC Raymond D. Stefaniak and SFC Charles W. Shrider were killed on 1 October 1951. PFC Stefaniak and SFC Shrider were assigned to the 938th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. PFC Stefaniak SFC Shrider were transporting a trailer full of TNT and Composition ``C'' explosives that was being pulled behind their jeep, when at 1400 hours an explosion occurred in the trailer. Their jeep was hurled forward more than 100 feet, setting it on fire. The explosion ignited five gallons of gasoline that they were carrying. PFC Stefaniak and SFC Shrider were on Longstreet Road and had just pulled into the fenced-off dud disposal area on the Fort Bragg range prior to the accident. PFC Stefaniak was thrown clear on the right side of the jeep. SFC Shrider was trapped inside the jeep following the explosion and died instantly. SFC Cecil Coley and CPL Ben Smith of the range personnel office rushed to the aid of PFC Stefaniak and pulled the injured man clear of the burning jeep. SFC Coley and CPL Smith were unable to reach SFC Shrider, who was slumped inside the jeep, due to the intense flames from the vehicle. PFC Stefaniak was rushed to Womack Army Hospital where he died about an hour later from third-degree burns. LTG John W. Leonard has ordered a board of officers to investigate the accident. Additional Facts: Age: 23. PFC Stefaniak's next-of-kin was listed as his sister, Gertrude Waclawski of Grand Rapids, Michigan. His father is Jose and his mother is Mary Stefaniak. Find-A-Grave--PFC Stefaniak 47. SFC Biddle Carrol ``B.C., Jack, Izzy or Buzz'' Izard, Jr. was killed on 19 June 1968. SFC Izard was assigned to the 45th Military Intelligence Company, 528th Ordnance Detachment, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion (Field Army), 525th Military Intelligence Group, Combined Material Exploitation Center (CMEC), Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. CMEC was tasked with the responsibility to examine, evaluate, and classify captured enemy material. SFC Izard was killed in the afternoon when a dud RPG-2 (B-40) rocket exploded. The team was in the process of loading a 2 1/2-ton truck with captured enemy ammunition at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Long An Province, Republic of Vietnam. Three other men were helping to load the truck at the time of the accident. SFC Izard was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. SFC Izard was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. Additional Facts: Navy Service Number: 616 03 15; Army Service Number: 19357542; Service Number: 448035054; Born: 2 August 1920; Coleman, Oklahoma; Age: 47; Hometown: El Paso, Texas; MOS: 55C4A: Ammunition Maintenance Specialist; Length of Service: 22 years; Tour Started: 9 April 1967; Buried: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California, Section 0, Grave Number 4110; Vietnam Memorial Panel: 56W Line 34. Virtual Vietnam Wall--SFC Izard The Wall--SFC Izard Army Together We Served--SFC Izard Navy Together We Served--BM 2/c Izzy Find-A-Grave--SFC Izard 48. MSG Cornelius Vincent Spillane, Jr. passed away on 16 August 1968. MSG Spillane was assigned to Headquarters Headquarters Company, 80th General Support Group, Army Support Command Da Nang, 1st Logistics Command, Republic of Vietnam. MSG Spillane contracted Hepatitis on 11 July 1968, at Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. MSG Spillane was evacuated to Trippler Army Medical Center, Hawaii where he died a week later with kidney failure. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with ``V' Device with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart Medal. MSG Spillane was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. Additional Facts: Service Number: 31376234; Born: 7 February 1924; Age: 44; Hometown: South Berwick, Maine; Vietnam Memorial Panel: 52W Line 014. Virtual Vietnam Wall--MSG Spillane Army Together We Served--MSG Spillane 49. CPT Paul Barkley Bowman was killed on 31 January 1970. CPT Bowman was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Bowman was aboard a helicopter that was shot down north of Tay Ninh in an area called ``Mo Con Woods.'' The area was called Mo Con Woods because it was heavily forested with sparse civilian population and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used this area for infiltration across the Cambodia border, which was close by. The day before a helicopter was on a recon mission in that same area when it took ground fire from a 12.7mm antiaircraft gun. The helicopter was able to get away without taking any hit. It was believed an estimated battalion sized force was in the area getting ready for a broader dry season offensive in the Tay Ninh area. On 31 January 1970, A, B, and C Company from the 25th Infantry Division were airlifted by Hueys into the area. The force expected heavy casualties with A and B Companies took several killed-in-actions (KIAs) and C Company had eight to ten wounded-in actions (WIAs). Many of the NVA soldiers melted back across the border, but those fighting a rear guard action were emplaced in heavily fortified bunkers. With U.S. forces on the ground taking heavy fire Huey helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-15462) carrying CPT Bowman made a heroic approach at treetop level to drop CS gas and to put down suppressive machinegun fire on the enemy to root them out of the bunkers. The helicopter was shot down with a total loss of lives onboard. The efforts of all onboard the helicopter saved the lives of many soldiers on the ground that day. Seven soldiers died in that crash, four aircrew members and three passengers. Those that were killed were from B Company, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, CW2 Ronald Joe Fulton, pilot; 2LT Michael Lorrell Arrants, copilot; SGT John Thomas Rodgers, gunner; SGT Jerald Dale West, crew chief; and passenger from Headquarter Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division CPT John Lawrence Beek; CPT Paul Barkley Bowman, and CPT Jerry David. CPT Bowman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal. CPT Bowman was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. CPT Bowman was inducted in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame in June 2010. Additional Facts: Service Number: 369427269; Born: 3 September 1943; Age: 26; Hometown: Newaygo, Michigan; Buried: Newaygo Cemetery, Newaygo, Michigan, Plot: Section F, Lot 095, Grave 2; Vietnam Memorial Panel: 14W Line 083. Virtual Vietnam Wall--CPT Bowman The Wall--CPT Bowman Army Together We Served--CPT Bowman Find-A-Grave--CPT Bowman 50. CPT Frederick Phillip ``Fred'' Smith was killed on 13 February 1971. CPT Smith was the Assistant Division Chemical Officer assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), United States Army, Pacific-- Republic of Vietnam. CPT Smith was stationed at Phuoc Vinh, Camp Casey, Republic of South Vietnam. On 13 February 1971, CPT Smith was conducting a ``People Sniffer'' mission over Binh Tuy Province, III Corps (present-day Binh Thuan Province) in a valley suspected to be occupied by enemy troops at Military grid coordinates YS848912. Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery (aerial rocket), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was tasked to support the mission. The mission team consisted of one Army UH-1H Huey helicopter (68-16360) and two AH-1G Cobra attack helicopters. LTC Adalbert E. ``Bert'' Toepel, Jr., 2d Battalion's commanding officer, sat in the Huey's front left seat as the aircraft commander. In the front right seat sat the pilot, CPT L.R. Burnette. The crew engineer (or crew chief) in the far left well was SP4 T.M. Morgan. PFC W. Wallace was the gunner in the far right well. Besides CPT Smith, others on the flight included 2d Battalion's Sergeant Major, SGM Dobson, and an enlisted soldier from the 184th Chemical Platoon (Direct Support) that was there to assist CPT Smith with the drop. The mission's objective was to make one or two runs at 1,500 feet (optimum altitude for maximum effect) down the valley dropping approximately 20 modified Air Force BLU E158 tactical CS-2 (2- chlorobenzalmalononitrile) clusters bombs from the Huey helicopter. CS is a chemical agent in the family of riot control agents, commonly called ``tear gas.'' Each E158 cluster bomb consisted of 264 D-cell battery-sized canisters of CS held in place by a plastic unit that measures 3-foot- long and 1-foot-wide. A timing fuse detonates a bursting/ igniting charge that sends the smaller munitions over a 50- meter area, spraying CS as they scatter. The hope was that the tear gas submunitions would drive the enemy from their hiding places and expose them in a more open area making them vulnerable to rocket and gunfire from two supporting Cobra attack helicopters. The drop time was in early morning to assure that the CS gas would settle into the jungle canopy instead of being blown away by the wind, which was expected to happen later in the day. Take off was scheduled for 0600 hours. No problems were encountered in the preparations and loading of the canisters, which were placed on end just inside the open doors of the helicopter's cargo compartment. As a safety precaution, the pilot of the aircraft (right seat) wore a protective mask in the event any of the CS gas entered the crew compartment and adversely affected either of the pilots. It is not recalled if anybody else was wearing a protective mask during the mission. All passengers were seat- belted in. Upon the start of their run, there was a sudden explosion in the passenger/cargo compartment and the entire interior was immediately filled with burning CS gas. Somehow the arming wires of the third cluster must have come loose, and an E 158 cluster began detonating inside the Huey helicopter by the door. It's surmised that the cause of the malfunction was that someone somehow accidentally snagged the arming wire, which activated the timer. The copper retaining wires on the fuzes had been precut. This explosion started a chain reaction setting off the other clusters. Prior to the mission, a gallon can of transmission fluid was placed in the cargo compartment. After the clusters went off the crew chief announced over the intercom, ``Sir, the transmission fluid is on fire!'' The pilot immediately went into autorotation in order to get the aircraft closer to the ground and the crew prepared for a possible emergency landing in the 100-foot plus high jungle canopy. The aircraft commander instructed the crew in the cargo compartment to jettison all canisters, which the aircraft commander now believes had already happened. In avoiding the conflagration in the cargo compartment someone somersaulted onto the radio console, located between the two pilots. The aircraft commander wrestled with that person briefly to remove him from the proximity of the aircraft controls. The aircraft commander instructed the pilot to check his instruments and the pilot reported that they still had power. Now realizing that there wasn't a fire on board, but there was a lot of CS gas and smoke, the aircraft commander jettisoned his aircraft entry door. With his sight now returning, the aircraft commander took control of the aircraft from the pilot and flew in a slip (sideways), which caused air to blow across the interior of the helicopter and helped evacuate the gas fumes. While this was going on, CPT Smith, although badly burned and with his clothing on fire from the black powder bursting charges, realized that everyone's lives was endanger and he was able to undo his seatbelt and push all of the clusters out of the helicopter. In the confusion, blinded and choking by the CS smoke, he may have been thrown out during the autorotation or by the explosion of the charges. CPT Smith went out with the clusters munitions and fell 1,500 feet to his death. When their vision returned, someone reported that CPT Smith was missing. What was originally thought to be a burning can of transmission fluid turned out to be the burning of a small container of CS gas on the floor of the aircraft. The small containers of burning gas caused extensive damage to the nylon seats and interior insulation in the aircraft. CPT Smith's quick thinking and actions saved the lives of six people onboard the Huey helicopter. The helicopter crewmembers were wearing their standard issue Nomex flight clothing and gloves, and were protected from more serious burns on their skin. Despite protective clothing and a helmet, one of the CS containers became lodged just behind the aircraft commander's neck, which resulted in third-degree burns. One of those containers also landed next to his right arm resulting in second-degree burns. Portions of his face not covered by the visor of his flight helmet were hit by gas and caused first- and second-degree burns. Other crewmembers were similarly burned. The helicopter crew chief was transferred to Camp Zama Hospital in Japan with severe burns. The passengers on the helicopter wore standard nylon jungle fatigues and were also extensively burned. The enlisted soldier assisting Captain Smith received severe burns and was transferred to Camp Zama Hospital where he underwent an extensive period of hospitalization. Not knowing what damage may have occurred to the aircraft, the helicopter was flown to a nearby artillery firebase FSB Mace where it landed. The accompanying escort aircraft followed. SP4 Lee Gurley and another medic from C Company, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) treated the injured. The incident was then reported to the division tactical operations center. Three days later an infantry unit was able to go in and recover Captain Smith's body. CPT Smith was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart Medal. CPT Smith was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. CPT Smith was inducted in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame in June 2008. Additional Facts: Service Number (Enlisted): RA 18733814; Service Number: 448463006; Born: 6 March 1946, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Age: 24; Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Buried: Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Vietnam Memorial: Panel 05W-Line 102. Virtual Vietnam Wall--CPT Smith The Wall--CPT Smith Army Together We Served--CPT Smith First Cavalry Division Memorial Find-A-Grave--CPT Smith Acknowledgements: 1. SGM James G. ``Jim'' Ferris, USA (Retired). 2. LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA (Retired). 3. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. Note: All mortuary records for World War II, for all branches, are kept at the Total Army Personnel Command (TAPC). You may write and request a copy of his Individual Deceased Personal File (IDPF) at the below listed address: U.S. Total Army Personnel Command

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, earlier this month, I visited the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial on Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The memorial wall is located across from the EOD school where men and women from every branch are trained in the elite and specialized skills necessary to locate, identify, render safe, recover, evaluate, and dispose of explosives. As former Army EOD, I understand the critical role our EOD forces play as the key enablers in the ongoing war on IEDs both at home and abroad. I also understand the omnipresent danger that our EOD warriors face in the battlefield and on civil support missions here in the United States. The memorial wall contains the names of the brave men and women of the EOD who have given their lives in defense of our freedom. The memorial wall does an excellent job of recognizing the incredible sacrifice that our EOD forces and all of our men and women in uniform make every day on behalf of our freedom. I would like to take a moment to honor the EOD warriors who lost their lives in the line of duty between World War II and Vietnam but are not recognized on the EOD memorial wall. These men and women served valiantly and lost their lives in the line of duty, but are not included on the memorial wall because they were not physically assigned to an EOD unit at the time of their death. These brave warriors lost their lives performing EOD duties in support of their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and deserve to be recognized for their service. With Memorial Day approaching, now is an appropriate time to recognize their sacrifice. I would like to submit their names for inclusion in the Congressional Record. God bless our troops and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, last week, the EOD community lost one of its best and brightest. Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Baker was killed 1 week ago today in an IED explosion that killed four of his fellow soldiers and injured multiple others. Sergeant First Class Baker was assigned to the 766th EOD Company out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, and was serving in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, at the time of his death. EOD soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are the preeminent explosive experts in our Armed Forces. Our joint EOD forces lead the fight against the use of IEDs and protect their fellow servicemembers and our interests both at home and abroad. Too often, the lives of these brave men and women are claimed by the very devices they are trained to neutralize. Sergeant First Class Baker gave his life along with four of his fellow soldiers in defense of our freedoms. It's important that we honor their sacrifice and the sacrifices of those who came before them. Next week, as the Nation honors the veterans who have given their lives for this country, it's important that we take time to recognize the risks our troops take on our behalf every day and the need to support our veterans and their families. Jeffrey Baker was from Hesperia, California, and was just 29 years old. He is survived by his wife and his young daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeffrey's entire family, the families of his fellow soldiers who were killed, and the soldiers recovering from the blast. God bless our Armed Forces, and God bless America.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the legislative day of Friday, April 26, 2013. Had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote #126 (on agreeing to the Dent amendment to H.R. 527), ``no'' on rollcall vote #127 (on motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 527), ``aye'' on rollcall vote #128 (on passage of H.R. 527).

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Marty Stumbaugh from Cabot, Arkansas. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage, nobility, and service to others. Firefighters have long been admired for these traits, and Marty Stumbaugh was a shining example. His life's work was to serve his community as a firefighter. Marty did his job each day with a sense of responsibility and honor. In addition to serving his community fighting fires, Marty was a former justice of the peace in Lonoke County and constable in York Township. Marty was president of the Cabot Professional Firefighters Association and a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Family was the most important part of Marty's life. Marty loved his wife, Mindy, and their two children, Mason and Macy, more than life. Additionally, Marty had close relationships with his siblings: Netta, Karla, Robbin, Corky, Stubby, and Stewart. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the entire community of Cabot, Arkansas, in honoring the life and service of Marty Stumbaugh.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the EPA's recent disregard for our Nation's food safety. Two weeks ago, I learned the EPA released phone numbers, addresses, and even geographic coordinates that were collected from livestock producers. This information was requested by extremist groups, including Earth Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council, through a Freedom of Information Act request. The EPA handed over the very personal information. I have serious concerns about the potential threat these actions pose to the privacy of American farm families, as well as the safety and security of our Nation's food supply. This is yet another example of the EPA's overreach into the lives of hardworking individuals in rural America. As chairman of the Agricultural Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit, I'm leading a group of 40 House Members in writing a letter to the acting director of the EPA expressing our concern and asking the acting director to ensure the released information is not improperly used. Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable for the EPA to do anything that could jeopardize our Nation's food security or threaten our Nation's farm operations.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, S. 3666, and yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 3666 is a simple regulatory relief measure which has been proposed to modify the definition of the term ``exhibitor'' under the Federal Animal Welfare Act. It has passed the Senate by unanimous consent and, in the last hours of the 112th Congress, I urge that it likewise be passed by the House of Representatives. The legislation would relieve private pet owners who might make a few dollars on the side with their pets but who do not derive a substantial portion of their income from such activities from the licensure requirements under the Federal Animal Welfare Act. An example where this might be an issue is in hiring somebody to serve as an extra in a film. These are the people who appear in the background of film scenes and may work on the film set for a couple of hours at a time or a day or two at the most. If that person has their pet with them during the filming, the current interpretation of the Animal Welfare Act is that the extra would be designated an animal exhibitor under Federal law and must therefore be licensed, inspected, and comply with all the administrative and record-keeping requirements of the act. This was not what the law intended nor is the administration of such a requirement a necessary or useful allocation of scarce Federal resources. The Federal Animal Welfare Act was intended to regulate businesses, not private citizens. There are many examples across the government of regulatory overreach. While I regret that we have not been able to address all of those in the 112th Congress, certainly this is one we can agree needs fixing and should be fixed. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3666) to amend the Animal Welfare Act to modify the definition of ``exhibitor''.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Army Staff Sergeant Kenneth Bennett. As an explosive ordnance disposal technician, Bennett put his life on the line every day to protect his comrades. As a former EOD tech myself, I know the danger Bennett faced, and today I honor his ultimate sacrifice. Staff Sergeant Kenneth Bennett is an American hero. He entered the Army in 2004, and in 2006 he trained to be an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Bennett was serving his third, and what was to be his last, deployment to Afghanistan. Bennett earned numerous awards for his service, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge. I did not know personally Staff Sergeant Bennett, but I do know this: He was a son, a husband and father, and a friend to many. Staff Sergeant Bennett leaves behind his wife, Mandi, their 2-year-old daughter, and another child on the way. Because he served, America and the world are more free. EOD technicians are the first line of defense in protecting our servicemembers overseas and with homeland missions. The EOD community deserves the respect and full resources of the Department of Defense to continue saving lives. God bless the memory of Staff Sergeant Kenneth Bennett, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. During the month of August, I traveled throughout my Arkansas district, listening to the challenges family farmers are facing with record drought conditions. Even though the House did pass an important drought relief package, we need to pass a farm bill. We must acknowledge the role that farm families play in our Nation's economy. The success story of Arkansas and American agriculture can continue if Congress acts to pass sound policies. The message from my constituents and rural America is clear: We need a farm bill now. The farm bill needs to be a priority of the House, as it is critically important not only to my home State of Arkansas but to all of rural America. At a time when many Americans have lost faith in the ability of Congress to accomplish great things, a comprehensive farm bill has the potential to be an example of what can be done when we put aside partisan politics and pass sound policy. We need a farm bill now.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever be etched in our Nation's memory. Today marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives that day. For one family in my district, the tragedy of September 11 hits close to home. Batesville native Sara Elizabeth Low was a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, the plane that hit the north tower of the World Trade Center 11 years ago today. Sara was just 29 years old, and she loved her job as a flight attendant. The community of Batesville, Arkansas, may be small in population, but today they are enormous in heart and in remembrance of the life Sara Low lived. For 6 years now, the Batesville community has held a 5K run to remember Sara, and a memorial now stands in her honor at the junior high school. Today, my thoughts and prayers are with Sara's parents, Mike and Bobbie Low, and all those in Batesville who were blessed to know her. May God bless the memory of Sara Low and all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, again my thanks to the gentleman from Iowa and to those who spoke tonight. I just urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3158) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to change the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule with respect to certain farms, as amended.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Again, thank you, Mr. Boswell, not only for your support, but your real-world common sense as an ag producer. I appreciate it. I'd just like to yield 2 minutes to my esteemed colleague from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford) and thank him for his patience.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Members from both parties who joined in cosponsoring this bipartisan bill that will provide regulatory relief to our family farmers, in particular, my colleague, Mr. Boswell. Thank you very much. The EPA-mandated Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure program, or SPCC, requires that oil storage facilities with a capacity of over 1,320 gallons make costly infrastructure modifications to reduce the possibility of oil spills. The regulations require farmers to construct a containment facility, like a dike or a basin, which must retain 110 percent of the fuel in the container. These mandated infrastructure improvements--along with the necessary inspection and certification by a specially licensed professional engineer--will cost many farmers tens of thousands of dollars. In some cases, compliance costs could reach higher than $60,000 for a single farmer in my district. The SPCC program dates back to 1973, shortly after the Clean Water Act was signed into law. In the last decade, it has strictly come down on agriculture, and the rules have been amended, delayed, and extended dozens of times, creating enormous confusion in the farming community. On top of that, the EPA has failed to engage in effective outreach to producers and cooperatives on SPCC application. In 2009, the EPA lifted a 2006 rule that suspended compliance requirements for small farms with oil storage of 10,000 gallons or less. The rule applies to more than just fuel. In fact, it applies to hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil, and even animal fat. It was scheduled to go into effect this past November. Last summer, I headed up an effort to send a bipartisan letter with over 100 cosigners to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson highlighting problems with the program and requesting a permanent fix. At the very least, I requested a delay so farmers impacted by last year's natural disasters would have more time to comply. The EPA responded only a few weeks before the November deadline and issued a statement saying they would not begin enforcement until May of 2013. While we were thankful for the delay, this action still didn't do anything to fix the burden on small farms. It just kicked the can down the road. The FUELS Act is simple. It revises the SPCC regulations to be reflective of a producer's spill risk and financial resources. The exemption level would be adjusted upward from an unworkable 1,320 gallons of oil storage to an amount that would protect small farms-- 10,000 gallons. The proposal would also place a greater degree of responsibility on farmers and ranchers to self-certify compliance if their storage facilities exceed the exemption level. To add another layer of environmental protection, the producer must be able to demonstrate that he or she has no history of oil spills. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is necessary because the existing regulations are not only burdensome to small farmers; they're unenforceable. According to USDA, the current regulations would bring more than 70 percent of farms into the SPCC regulatory net. This is more than 1.5 million farms in the SPCC regulatory net next year alone. The University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture did a study recently concluding that the FUELS Act would exempt over 80 percent of producers from SPCC compliance. It could save, in my home State, up to $240 million in costs. Over the entire country, it could save small farmers up to $3.36 billion. This year, the ag sector of the economy is facing a crisis. Over two- thirds of the Nation is being impacted by drought, and farm revenue has dropped substantially. Food costs are projected to skyrocket for consumers. On top of that, the fate of a multiyear farm bill is still unknown, creating long-term uncertainty for the agriculture community. The last thing the government should be doing right now is imposing a regulation on producers that could cost our Nation's family farmers up to $3.36 billion during next year's planting season. There is absolutely no justification for such an expensive regulation, especially when the EPA cannot provide data or even anecdotal evidence of agriculture spills. By nature of occupation, family farmers are already careful stewards of the land and water. No one has more at stake than those who work on the ground from which they derive their livelihood. I urge adoption of H.R. 3158 and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 3158.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Grimm), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Because of the geographic area in which they live, many Americans don't have as many transportation options as others. As a result, these people are more directly impacted by highway and bridge tolls than others who live in areas with several transportation options. This bill simply emphasizes that State and local governments have the authority to establish toll programs that offer discounted rates for residents in specific geographic areas. By exercising such authority, State and local governments can mitigate the impact of tolls on residents who have fewer transportation options. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 897.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 897) to provide authority and sanction for the granting and issuance of programs for residential and commuter toll, user fee, and fare discounts by States, municipalities, other localities, and all related agencies and departments, and for other purposes.

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Mountain Home AAA 11-year-old baseball team for winning the Global World Series Championship earlier this year. During the 4-day, 24-team tournament, the Mountain Home Bomb Squad suffered a first round loss, but went on to win six straight games. In the championship game, they defeated the Missouri Wildcats 10-1. This championship is a great source of pride for the entire Mountain Home, Arkansas, community. I'd like to commend the team manager, Dr. Eric Arp, and Coaches Tony Dibble and George Sitkowski for their leadership on the 11-and-under Global World Series Championship. Additionally, I would like to recognize players Garrett Steelman, Austin Mize, Clayton McManness, Luke Dibble, Sam Arp, Bradley Ludwig, Austin Helms, Luke Jackson, Jordan Anderson, Will Sitkowski and Luke Kruse for their leadership as well. Now that the Bomb Squad has brought a Global World Series trophy home to Mountain Home, I have no doubt that the players will set new, even higher goals to achieve. Congratulations once again to the Mountain Home Bomb Squad and the entire Mountain Home community for their Global World Series victory.

Mr. CRAWFORD

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership and dedication Reta Hamilton has shown to the Republican Party of Arkansas and the Republican National Committee. Ms. Hamilton has made a lifelong commitment to advancing conservative causes. Her career began as a volunteer in political activism in 1995; and she has gone on to hold positions, including the first vice chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, an appointee to the Governor's Appointments Committee, and a member of the National Committee's Women's Leadership Forum. She served as a national committeewoman for the Republican Party of Arkansas since 2004; and as a member of the national rules committee, she is able to influence party nominations and messages. Ms. Hamilton has been a delegate to every Republican national convention since 1992. She is also a 2012 RNC convention committee member. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Ms. Reta Hamilton for her commitment to our commonsense, conservative ideals and thank her for her service.