2001CRE400C HONORING ELDRED CLIFFORD SCHROEDER
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[Congressional Record: March 20, 2001 (Extensions)]
[Page E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr20mr01-31]
HONORING ELDRED CLIFFORD SCHROEDER
______
HON. GARY MILLER
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the
heroic deeds of Eldred Clifford Schroeder, a distinguished World War II
veteran.
In February of 1943, at the height of World War II, 24-year-old
Eldred Clifford Schroeder was drafted into the United States Army,
where he was assigned to the 786th Bombardment Squadron in the European
theater of operations. He climbed the ranks to become a Technical
Sergeant and served as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator.
After flying 22 successful combat missions, Schroeder and his crew
were shot down over France. Fortunately, the French underground rescued
him and returned him to England where his leg was treated for shrapnel
wounds. He resumed flying, but on his 26th combat mission, he was again
shot down over France. This time, German troops found Schroeder, and he
was taken as a prisoner of war. He was imprisoned at Stalag Luft One,
in Barth, Germany, until the camp was liberated nine months later by
the Russian Army in May of 1945.
Mr. Schroeder, a distinguished veteran, died in 1968 without
receiving the numerous medals and honors he earned. His World War II
experience reads like a Hollywood movie, but the bravery he
demonstrated in the face of danger was real. Today, I am honored to
celebrate the contributions he made to help win the war in Europe, and
privileged to present these tokens of a grateful nation to the family
of a true American hero.
[[Page E401]]
On behalf of the United States Army, I proudly present the Schroeder
family an Air Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, a Purple Heart, a POW
Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a European, African, Middle-Eastern
Campaign Medal, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin, WWII.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that this 107th Congress join me in posthumously
recognizing a member of our Greatest Generation, Eldred Clifford
Schroeder.
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