To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as the "Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2602, a bill to name the Veterans Affairs medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, after Oscar G. Johnson. I am proud to have authored this legislation and proud to bring it to the floor. Oscar Johnson was a friend of mine, and he was a legend in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

I would like to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their support of this legislation.

As was mentioned, Oscar Johnson was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner and a Dickinson County native. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in combat near Scarperia, Italy, in September, 1944.

I will not go through all the details, as that has already been done by the previous two speakers who have eloquently outlined the heroic actions of Oscar Johnson. Mr. Hare and Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite did an excellent job in doing that. I would like to add a few other thoughts.

As was indicated, Sergeant Johnson's service to his country did not stop after he returned home from World War II. In fact, Mr. Johnson continued to serve honorably as a foreman of the National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Lansing, Michigan, our State capital.

During his 30 years of service, Mr. Johnson worked alongside and guided young soldiers, Vietnam-era veterans, and newly enlisted women in our military service. Oscar Johnson quickly became a beloved member of his local community and exemplified the dedication and sacrifice made by all the men and women who served in the Armed Forces, especially during World War II. He was a local hero and a great American. Mr. Johnson is one of 68 World War II Medal of Honor recipients to have survived combat.

Mr. Johnson passed away in 1998 and developed a reputation for conducting himself with modesty, dignity and honor.

At this time, I will enter into the Record an article entitled, ``A Soldier's Story,'' which appeared in the Iron Mountain Daily News after his death in 1998. This article eloquently describes Mr. Johnson's heroic actions during World War II and his commitment to this country.

A Soldier's Story

(By Jim Anderson)

Oscar Johnson was reluctant, in a newspaper interview, to

relate the details of a World War II battle that earned him

the Congressional Medal of Honor.

``The way they describe my role, it sounds like I might

have been a little better than I was,'' he said.

The story of the battle, as told in his medal presentation,

is extraordinary.

Johnson, a soldier from Foster City, practically single-

handedly defended the left flank of his company's position

from a German paratroop regiment.

The certificate accompanying his Medal of Honor, the

nation's highest military decoration, tells it as follows:

Near Scarperia, Italy in September 1944, Johnson's company

(Company B) was stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli Ridge

and took cover behind an embankment. Johnson, a mortar

gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties of

a rifleman.

As leader of a squad of seven men, he was ordered to

establish a combat post 50 yards to the left of Company B to

cover its exposed flank. Repeated enemy counterattacks,

supported by artillery, mortar and machine gun fire from the

high ground, had by the afternoon of Sept. 16 killed or

wounded all his men.

Collecting weapons and ammunition from his fallen comrades,

in the face of hostile fire, he held his exposed position and

inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy, who several times

came close enough to throw hand grenades.

That night, the enemy launched a heavy attack on Company B,

putting its greatest pressure against the lone defender of

the left flank.

In spite of mortar fire that crashed about him and machine

gun bullets that whipped the crest of his shallow trench,

Johnson stood erect and repulsed the attack with grenades and

small-arms fire.

He remained awake and on the alert throughout the night,

frustrating all attempts at infiltration.

On Sept. 17, 25 German soldiers surrendered to him. Two men

were sent to reinforce him that afternoon, but were caught in

a mortar and artillery barrage.

Johnson, ignoring his own safety, rushed to the shell-hole

where they lay half-buried and seriously wounded, covered

their position by his fire, and assisted a medic in rendering

aid. That night, he secured their removal to the rear and

remained on watch until his company was relieved.

Five companies of the German paratroop regiment had been

repeatedly committed to the attack against Company B without

success. Twenty dead Germans were found in front of Johnson's

position.

According to his presidential citation, Johnson's heroic

stand and utter disregard for personal safety was in large

measure responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to

turn the exposed left flank.

Oscar Johnson, one of the rare recipients of the Medal of

Honor to have survived combat, died Wednesday at the age of

77.

He had gone on, after the war, to serve as foreman of a

National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Lansing. During 30

years of duty with the Guard, he saw a lot of changes.

``During the '50s, we got a lot of boys joining to avoid

the draft,'' he said in a 1980 Panax Newspapers interview.

``A lot of them were farm boys who knew a lot about

equipment. I enjoyed working with them. Now we get guys in

who have to be taught to drive a stick-shift.''

The biggest change, he said, was working with women.

``I can't say anything bad about them,'' he said. ``They

make real good jeep drivers and they seem to have more

responsibility toward their vehicles. They don't think a

thing about pulling out a battery or crawling underneath with

an oil pan.''

He said the Vietnam-era veterans he worked with at the

Guard were really no different than the veterans of World War

II or the Korean War.

``The biggest difference is that they don't get as much

attention,'' he said.

After his Guard service, Johnson retired in Dickinson

County.

He was a regular church-goer.

A couple of years ago, he attended a Good Friday service at

First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. I'm sure he attended

many others--this happened to be one I managed to make.

Part of the service is the reading of the ``Good Friday

Solemn Reproaches,'' representing the agony and reproaches of

the crucified Savior.

This line is included:

``I grafted you into the tree of my chosen Israel, and you

turned on them with persecution and mass murder.''

Those lines might have been echoing in my thoughts when I

noticed Oscar.

The sight of his ruddy face and white hair made it

especially clear that it took his sacrifices, and those of

countless others, to stop the unspeakable horrors inflicted

on Jews in Europe.

Near the end of the service, after a silence is kept for

meditation on the mystery of redemption, there is a time to

visit a cross at the altar.

Traditionally, one is to bow before the cross, touch it, or

kiss it.

Oscar Johnson approached the cross, walking with a slight

limp as he did in his later years, but with a sure confidence

and grace.

He didn't bow before the cross, touch it, or kiss it.

What he did was this. He gave it a casual, respectful

soldier's salute and limped back to his pew.

To this day, the memory of that simple gesture brings

forward tears.

Maybe it's true, as Johnson claimed, that the Medal of

Honor story made him sound a little better than he was.

It must also be true that he was more.

So it is fitting tonight that we honor Oscar Johnson, his years of service and his family by naming the Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Iron Mountain Michigan the ``Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.''

This legislation has been endorsed by the city of Iron Mountain, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American

Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Mr. Johnson was the last Congressional Medal of Honor winner living in the Upper Peninsula. As I stated earlier, he was a friend of mine. I first introduced this legislation in 2000, it is now 2007. It is time for the family and friends to have the honor of Oscar Johnson having his name attached to the VA Medical Facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

I would also like to thank the entire Michigan U.S. House delegation for cosponsoring this legislation, and our two Senators, Stabenow and Levin, for their support of this legislation. And I thank the previous speakers.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for four bills that are before the House. H.R. 366, H.R. 2546, H.R. 2602, and S. 229 honor four Medal of Honor recipients who through their diligence and self-sacrifice protected the freedoms we hold dear today. As we move toward the Fourth of July recess, it is fitting that we pay tribute to these four men, two of whom were Native Americans.

H.R. 366 would pay honor to Ernest Childers by naming the VA Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, OK, the ``Ernest Childers Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' A Creek Indian from Oklahoma, Ernest Childers enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937 to earn extra money while attending the Chilocco Indian School in north-central Oklahoma. He was deployed to Africa to fight in World War II, and retired from the Army in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During action in 1943 in Oliveto, Italy, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up a hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courageous action helped American troops win the battle and save the lives of American soldiers. Ernest Childers was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his actions.

H.R. 2546 would honor the sacrifice of a Cherokee Indian from North Carolina, Private First Class Charles George, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country in Korea. This legislation would name the VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, as the ``Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.'' Private First Class George displayed gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy, when enemy forces launched a grenade into his company and after calling out a warning to his comrades, he pushed one soldier out of danger, and with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. It is more than fitting that we name this VA facility in his honor.

H.R. 2602 would pay tribute to Oscar G. Johnson by naming the VA Medical Facility in Iron Mountain, MI, the ``Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.'' Another of our World War II heroes, U.S. Army Sergeant Oscar Johnson led his company to protect the left flank of an offensive to break the German's Gothic Line. Under heavy fire, most of his company were either killed or wounded. Yet Sergeant Johnson held the line, and continued to single- handedly hold the line from September 16-18, 1944. On September 17, 1944, 25 German soldiers surrendered to him. He was sent two additional men to reinforce his position, but they were both injured and were removed to their rear. He remained on watch through the night, and when finally relieved of his post on September 18, 1944, 20 dead Germans were found in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Johnson was in a large measure responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank.

The final bill under consideration is S. 229, which would honor Raymond G. ``Jerry'' Murphy by naming the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM, the ``Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.'' Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Korea, Second Lieutenant Murphy had positioned his unit above the Imjin River facing the Chinese Communist troops. On February 3, 1953, American forces attacked the Chinese Communists who were dug into high ground. As the battle went on, sensing the operation was not being executed as planned, Lieutenant Murphy led his reserve platoon up the hill to find all the officers and noncoms of the two assault platoons dead or wounded and confusion among the troops. In the midst of machine gunfire, he ordered his men to find their comrades and evacuate the area. Jerry Murphy made several trips in the midst of heavy gunfire to rescue casualties. At one point, Jerry Murphy was helping lift a stretcher when he was hit in the back by fragments of an enemy grenade. He refused medical attention and continued to lead his men to rescue their wounded comrades, holding off the Chinese Communist troops with an automatic rifle until all the Marines were safe. Wounded a second time, Second Lieutenant Murphy continued to refuse treatment and provided cover for his troops, until all Marines were safe and accounted for. The House companion bill for S. 229 is H.R. 474, introduced by Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

The four men we pay tribute today served their country with honor, valor, and courage. The three Medal of Honor recipients who survived to return to the United States continued to serve their country in the military and in public service. After his retirement from the military in 1965, Ernest Childers continued his public service as a leader among the Creek Nation, and spoke out against racism. Oscar Johnson continued to serve his country as the foreman of a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Lansing, MI, and served for 30 years with the National Guard. Raymond Murphy dedicated 20 years of his life helping veterans in New Mexico, serving as the Director of the Veterans Services Division of the Albuquerque, NM, VA Regional Office from 1974- 1997. After his retirement from the VA, he continued to volunteer at the VA hospital in Albuquerque. As a final tribute to the veterans he cared for, upon his death this past April, Raymond Murphy requested to be buried in his VA Volunteer smock.

It is right and fitting that we pay tribute to these Medal of Honor recipients, who through their service to a grateful Nation, continue to provide inspiration, pride and encouragement for generations to come.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 2602, a bill to designate the VA medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Facility. This legislation was introduced by my colleague from Michigan, Representative Bart Stupak, and it will honor a soldier who served his country with gallantry and distinction under fire during World War II near Scarperia, Italy. I appreciate Congressman Stupak's hard work and initiative on this legislation.

On September 16, 1944, Sergeant Johnson, a mortar gunner, expended his ammunition and assumed the duties of a rifleman. As the leader of the squad of seven men, he was ordered to establish a position 50 yards to the left of his company to cover its exposed flank. Repeated enemy counterattacks had by that afternoon killed or wounded all of his men. Collecting weapons and ammunition from his fallen comrades, he continued to hold his exposed position and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy throughout the night. On September 17, 25 German soldiers surrendered to him; 25 soldiers surrendered to one very brave soldier.

Two men were sent out to reinforce him that afternoon, but were caught in devastating mortar fire. Sergeant Johnson secured their removal and continued to hold his position until his company was relieved on September 18. Twenty dead Germans were found in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Johnson was in large measure responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank.

Mr. Speaker, I will submit Sergeant Johnson's complete Medal of Honor citation into the Record.

Johnson, Oscar G.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 363d

Infantry, 91st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near

Scarperia, Italy, 1618 September 1944. Entered service at:

Foster City, Mich. Birth: Foster City, Mich. G.O. No.: 58, 19

July 1945. Citation: (then Pfc.) He practically single-handed

protected the left flank of his company's position in the

offensive to break the German's gothic line. Company B was

the extreme left assault unit of the corps. The advance was

stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli Ridge, and the company

took cover behind an embankment. Sgt. Johnson, a mortar

gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties of

a rifleman. As leader of a squad of 7 men he was ordered to

establish a combat post 50 yards to the left of the company

to cover its exposed flank. Repeated enemy counterattacks,

supported by artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire from the

high ground to his front, had by the afternoon of 16

September killed or wounded all his men. Collecting weapons

and ammunition from his fallen comrades, in the face of

hostile fire, he held his exposed position and inflicted

heavy casualties upon the enemy, who several times came close

enough to throw hand grenades. On the night of 1617

September, the enemy launched his heaviest attack on Company

B, putting his greatest pressure against the lone defender of

the left flank. In spite of mortar fire which crashed about

him and machinegun bullets which whipped the crest of his

shallow trench, Sgt. Johnson stood erect and repulsed the

attack with grenades and small arms fire. He remained awake

and on the alert throughout the night, frustrating all

attempts at infiltration. On 17 September, 25 German soldiers

surrendered to him. Two men, sent to reinforce him that

afternoon, were caught in a devastating mortar and artillery

barrage. With no thought of his own safety, Sgt. Johnson

rushed to the shell hole where they lay half buried and

seriously wounded, covered their position by his fire, and

assisted a Medical Corpsman in rendering aid. That night he

secured their removal to the rear and remained on watch until

his company was relieved. Five companies of a German

paratroop regiment had been repeatedly committed to the

attack on Company B

without success. Twenty dead Germans were found in front of

his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for

personal safety, Sgt. Johnson was in a large measure

responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the

exposed left flank.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Johnson continued to serve his country after the war. He served as a foreman of a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Lansing, Michigan, giving his Nation 30 years of service with the National Guard. On May 13, Mr. Johnson died in Iron Mountain, Michigan, leaving behind a legacy of heroism and gallantry.

I support H.R. 2602 as a fitting tribute to a good man who served his Nation well, not just in war but also throughout his life. I certainly urge all of the Members to support this and would remind the Members that certainly Mr. Johnson is one of the many reasons why we do call this, Mr. Johnson's era, the ``Greatest Generation.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2602) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as the ``Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility''.

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

Medal of Honor recipients have performed selfless acts of courage. When reading their citations, we are deeply humbled by the courage and selflessness of their actions to save their comrades and to defend this great country.

H.R. 2602 would name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as the Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.

The following is from the citation for Sergeant Johnson, who at the time of his action was a private first class in the United States Army. It was September, 1944, and the Allied Forces were attempting to break the German defense line in Italy known as the ``Gothic Line'':

He practically single handedly protected the left flank of his company's position in the offensive to break the German Gothic Line. Company B was the extreme left assault unit of the corps. The advance was stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli Ridge, and the company took fire behind an embankment.

Sergeant Johnson, a mortar gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties of a rifleman. As leader of a squad of seven men, he was ordered to establish a combat post 50 yards to the left of the company to cover its exposed flank.

Repeated enemy counterattacks, supported by artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire from the high ground to his front, had by the afternoon of 16 September killed or wounded all of his men. Collecting weapons and ammunition from his fallen comrades, in the face of hostile fire, he held his exposed position and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy, who several times came close enough to throw hand grenades at him.

On the night of September 16, the enemy launched its heaviest attack on Company B, putting its greatest pressure against the lone defender of the left flank. In spite of mortar fire which crashed about him and machine gun bullets which whipped the chest of his shallow trench, Sergeant Johnson stood erect and repulsed the attack with grenades and small arms fire.

He remained awake and alert throughout the night, frustrating all attempts at infiltration. On 17 September, 25 German soldiers surrendered to him. Two men, sent to reinforce him that afternoon, were caught in a devastating mortar and artillery barrage.

With no thought for his own safety, Sergeant Johnson rushed to the shell hole where they lay half buried and seriously wounded, covered their position by his fire, and assisted a medical corpsman in rendering aid. That night he secured their removal to the rear and remained on watch until his company was relieved.

Five companies of the German paratroop regiment had been repeatedly committed to the attack on Company B without success. Twenty dead Germans were found in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for personal safety, Sergeant Johnson was in large measure responsible for defeating the enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank. What an incredible hero, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Johnson is no longer with us, but we can keep alive his memory by naming the facility in his honor.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the author of this wonderful piece of legislation, Congressman Bart Stupak from the State of Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2602.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Veterans' Affairs Committee be discharged from the further consideration of H.R. 2602, and the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; that any statements be printed in the Record.