To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the "Harold George Bennett Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4355, to designate the U.S. Post Office located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the ``Harold George Bennett Post Office.''

Staff Sergeant Harold George Bennett is one of Arkansas' finest sons, and he dedicated his life to serving our country. Sergeant Bennett was born on October 16, 1940, in Thornburg, Arkansas, a small town near the outskirts of the Ouachita National Forest. A graduate of Perryville High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957.

Sergeant Bennett served as an airborne infantryman with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, where he earned his Master Parachute Wings and Expert Infantry Badge. He completed Special Forces training in 1963, and in 1964, volunteered to serve in South Vietnam as a Special Forces adviser with the Military Assistance Command.

On December 29, 1964, his unit was airlifted to a small village after it had been overrun by a division of Viet Cong. Immediately upon landing, Sergeant Bennett's unit was confronted by a well dug-in regiment of enemy forces, and despite fighting furiously and courageously throughout the afternoon, his unit was overrun. Concerned for the safety of his fellow servicemembers, he twice directed American helicopter pilots attempting to rescue him to stand down, and was captured by the Viet Cong.

Sergeant Bennett spent 179 days as a POW and attempted to escape three times. During his last attempt, he injured an enemy soldier, and his captors executed him on June 25, 1965. As a

prisoner of war, the only thing more remarkable than the courageous resistance he displayed throughout his captivity was his steadfast devotion to duty, honor, and country. His faith in God and the trust of his fellow prisoners was unshakeable. Only 24 years old, Sergeant Bennett was the first American POW killed in Vietnam, and, like many other U.S. servicemen who lost their lives there, his remains have never been returned home.

Nearly four decades later, in 2004, Sergeant Bennett was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning. In 2006, his family was presented with his Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Purple Heart. And in 2010, Sergeant Bennett's family was presented with his Silver Star.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Bennett was a selfless young man who answered his Nation's call to service and placed duty and honor above all else. Although he may no longer be with us, the example and selflessness of this brave young Arkansan will forever live on in our hearts. While a grateful nation could never adequately express its indebtedness to men like Staff Sergeant Harold George Bennett, it should take every opportunity to honor them and their families for the sacrifice they have paid on our behalf.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4355) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the ``Harold George Bennett Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4355, introduced by Representative Tim Griffin of Arkansas, would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the Harold George Bennett Post Office.

Harold George Bennett was born in Thornburg, Arkansas, in 1940 and joined the Army in 1957 at the beginning of the Vietnam war. He continued his service when he volunteered to serve in South Vietnam as a Special Forces adviser. In late 1964, he was captured after a fierce firefight. After his capture, Bennett was a prisoner of war for 179 days. He was executed by the Viet Cong on June 25, 1965, after injuring an enemy soldier after his third escape attempt. Bennett was 24 years old when he died, and he was the first American POW murdered in Vietnam. His remains have never been returned to the United States, but his bravery and perseverance will be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Griffin), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4355, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4355, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 B Street in Perryville, Arkansas, as the Harold George Bennett Post Office.

Harold Bennett was born on October 16, 1940, in Perryville, Arkansas. Bennett and his brothers served in the United States Army. Sergeant George Bennett was trained as an airborne infantryman and served with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.

While serving as an infantry adviser to South Vietnam's Army on December 29, 1964, he was airlifted to a village that had been overrun by the Viet Cong. Upon landing, Sergeant Bennett's unit was confronted by enemy forces, and Sergeant Bennett and his radio operator were captured. Sergeant Bennett was the first American prisoner of war to be executed by the Viet Cong.

As a prisoner of war, Sergeant Bennett displayed remarkable courage, resistance, and devotion to his country. He was reportedly executed for injuring one of his captors during one of his three escape attempts. Sergeant Bennett was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Mr. Speaker, we would urge all Members of the Congress to vote in favor of this legislation, and, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.