S.Res. 243Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed Congress

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Joseph Leon George should be honored for heroism at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC

The Senate adopts a resolution honoring Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George for his courageous actions during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. The resolution notes that George helped rescue six sailors from the sinking USS Arizona by throwing a line that allowed them to climb to safety on the USS Vestal. It also urges the U.S. Navy to reconsider awarding George a decoration, such as the Navy Cross, for his heroism.

Key Provisions

The Senate formally honors Joseph Leon George’s heroism in saving six sailors during the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Senate recommends that the Navy review the case and consider awarding George a medal or other recognition for his actions.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateFloor Latest Action

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

September 7, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 2, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4775-4776; text of measure as introduced: CR S4775-4776)

Armed Services Committee

August 2, 2017

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5024)

Armed Services Committee

September 7, 2017

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5024)

Armed Services Committee

September 7, 2017

SenateFloor

Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

September 7, 2017

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 243 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. Jeff FlakeR-AZ · Sep 7, 2017

Mr. President, last month I spoke here about an amazing story I was told when I had the opportunity to host several veterans who survived the sinking of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl…

Mr. President, last month I spoke here about an amazing story I was told when I had the opportunity to host several veterans who survived the sinking of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. They recalled to me the incredible story of a true American hero named Joe George, and I would like to briefly remind everyone of that story now.

On December 7, 1941, Joe was a 26-year-old boatswain's mate second class aboard the repair ship USS Vestal in Pearl Harbor, HI. That morning, the Vestal was moored alongside the USS Arizona.

At 7:48 a.m., many sailors, including Joe, had just finished their breakfast when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Pearl Harbor.

As we know, the Arizona suffered a direct hit by a Japanese bomb that detonated in the ship's powder magazine. The resulting explosion sank the ship and claimed the lives of 1,177 servicemen.

During this unimaginable chaos and carnage, Joe George displayed stunning composure and courage. Joe spotted six sailors trapped in the control tower of the sinking USS Arizona. These men were severely burned and were searching for a way to safety.

Those six wounded sailors were Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Alvin Dvork, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner.

Upon seeing these men, Joe threw a heaving line between the Vestal and the Arizona to rescue the wounded soldiers from the sinking ship. Suspended 40 feet in the air, the six sailors climbed 70 feet hand- over-hand across the rope to safety on board the Vestal. These sailors did all this while enduring injuries so severe that two would succumb to their wounds in the weeks following the attack. As they struggled across the heavy line, Joe George remained close by, all the while encouraging the men to push on.

The four soldiers who survived their injuries each returned to serve with honor during World War II, and then went on to live long lives. Joe George's legacy of heroism will remain alive forever in the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the four sailors who survived that infamous day thanks to Joe George's incredible bravery and service.

Joe George was never awarded a medal for his role in the rescue of these six sailors, although his commanding officer commended his courageous actions.

When I met one of the Arizona survivors who was rescued by Joe, he told me:

Joe George was never awarded anything for his bravery. He

is no longer with us, but I believe in his memory he should

be awarded the Navy Cross.

Lauren Bruner was another survivor Joe saved. He said to me:

The six of us would not have survived except for his

courage, in spite of being at high risk himself. He fully

deserves high commendations for his actions. I feel he should

be recognized for this courage and presented the Navy Cross.

In his own words during an interview in 1978, Joe said:

I'll tell you, the only thing I could tell you about that

day. . . . My conscience was my guide.

Well, his conscience was that of a hero. We need more people like Joe George in this world.

That is why today I am committed to honoring Joe and why I rise today with the honor and privilege to call for unanimous consent in the adoption of a resolution honoring Joseph Leon George.

Joe passed away in 1996, and it is long overdue that the Senate, the U.S. Navy, and a grateful nation honor the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George.

God bless Joe George, whose immense courage and astounding composure serves as an example for the men and women in uniform who follow in his wake. Let us never forget their heroism and sacrifice.

I would like to thank my colleagues Senators Gardner, Lee, Cotton, McCaskill, and Bennet for joining me in this resolution and for helping to ensure its adoption here today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Armed Services Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 243.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I yield back, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Sen. Jeff FlakeR-AZ · Aug 2, 2017

Mr. President, recently, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to host several veterans who survived the sinking of the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor. I would like to briefly…

Mr. President, recently, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to host several veterans who survived the sinking of the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I would like to briefly share an incredible story they told me about a true American hero named Joe George.

On December 7, 1941, Joe was a 26-year-old Boatswain's Mate Second Class aboard the repair ship USS Vestal in Pearl Harbor, HI, moored alongside the USS Arizona.

At 7:48 a.m., many sailors, including Joe, had finished their breakfast when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Pearl Harbor. As we know, the Arizona suffered a direct hit by a Japanese bomb that detonated in the ship's powder magazine. The resulting explosion sank the ship and claimed the lives of 1,177 servicemembers.

During the unimaginable chaos and carnage, Joe George displayed stunning composure and courage. Joe spotted six sailors trapped in the control tower of the sinking Arizona. These men were severely burned, and they were searching for a way to safety. The six wounded sailors were Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, Boatswain's Mate Second

Class Alvin Dvorak, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner.

Upon seeing the men, Joe threw a heaving line between the Vestal and the Arizona to rescue the wounded sailors from the sinking ship. Suspended 40 feet in the air, the six sailors climbed 70 feet hand over hand across the rope to safety onboard the Vestal. These sailors did all this while enduring injuries so severe that two would succumb to their wounds in the weeks following the attack.

As they struggled across the heavy line, Joe George remained close by, all the while encouraging the men to push on.

The four sailors who survived their injuries each returned to serve with honor during World War II and then went on to live long lives.

I spoke with two of them, and hearing about the injuries they had and that they still were able to return to service in the Second World War was amazing.

Joe George's legacy of heroism will remain alive forever in the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the four sailors who survived the infamous day, thanks to Joe George.

Joe George was never awarded a medal for his role in the rescue of the six sailors, although his commanding officer commended his courageous actions. When I met with one of the Arizona survivors who was rescued by Joe, he told me, ``Joe George was never awarded anything for his bravery. He is no longer with us, but I believe in his memory he should be awarded the Navy Cross.''

Lauren Bruner was another survivor whom Joe saved. He said to me:

The six of us would not have survived except for his

courage, in spite of being at high risk himself. He fully

deserves high commendations for his actions. I feel he should

be recognized for this courage and presented the Navy Cross.

In his own words, during an interview in 1978, Joe said: ``I'll tell you, the only thing I could tell you about that day . . . my conscience was my guide.''

Well, his conscience was that of a hero. We need more people like Joe George in this world. That is why I am committed to honoring Joe and why I rise today with the honor and privilege to submit a resolution honoring Joseph Leon George.

Joe passed away in 1996, and it is long overdue that the Senate, the U.S. Navy, and a grateful nation honor the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George.

God bless Joe George, whose immense and astounding composure serves as an example of the men and women in uniform who follow in his wake. Let us never forget his heroism and sacrifice.

I would like to also thank my colleagues Senators Gardner, Lee, Cotton, McCaskill, and Bennet for joining me on this resolution. I look forward to working with them on its swift adoption.

Sen. Bill NelsonD-FL · Sep 7, 2017

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Sen. Jeff FlakeR-AZ · Aug 2, 2017

Mr. President, I yield back.

Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued September 7, 2017

III

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 243

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 2, 2017

Mr. Flake (for himself, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cotton, Mrs. McCaskill, and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

September 7, 2017

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Joseph Leon George should be honored for heroism at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Whereas, on December 7, 1941, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George was 26 years old;

Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George was a crewmember aboard the USS Vestal (AR–4), a repair ship, on that day;

Whereas the USS Vestal was moored next to the USS Arizona (BB–39);

Whereas the Japanese began the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at 7:48 a.m.;

Whereas 6 sailors on the USS Arizona, Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Alvin Dvork, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner, were trapped in the control tower main mast after a massive explosion on the ship;

Whereas those 6 sailors suffered severe burns;

Whereas those wounded sailors searched for a way to escape the ship;

Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George saw the 6 wounded sailors on the USS Arizona from the USS Vestal and threw a heaving line and a heavy line;

Whereas all 6 sailors climbed, nearly 40 feet in the air, hand over hand across the heavy line 70 feet to safety onboard the USS Vestal;

Whereas 2 sailors died shortly after from their injuries, but the remaining 4 survived;

Whereas Boatswain's Mate Second Class George was commended for his actions, but he was never given a medal for his role in the rescue of the 6 sailors;

Whereas the 2 surviving sailors rescued from the USS Arizona, Donald Stratton and Lauren Bruner, seek to honor Boatswain's Mate Second Class George;

Whereas USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton stated, Joe George was never awarded anything for his bravery. He is no longer with us, but I believe in his memory, should be awarded the Navy Cross.; and

Whereas USS Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner stated, The six of us would not have survived except for his courage, in spite of being at high risk himself. He fully deserves high commendations for his actions. I feel he should be recognized for this courage and presented the Navy Cross.: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

honors the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George in saving the lives of 6 sailors on December 7, 1941; and

(2)

believes the United States Navy, in light of new information, should consider revisiting decorating and honoring the heroism of Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph Leon George in saving the lives of 6 sailors on December 7, 1941.