PFC James Dunn VA Clinic

Floor Speech

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Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of S. 3283, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Pueblo, Colorado, as the PFC James Dunn VA Clinic.

Marine Reservist PFC James Dunn, Jr., was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in Guadalcanal in 1943. His award is the second highest award for valor that the Navy has. I am often told this about heroes: ordinary men do extraordinary things.

Later in life, Jim Dunn was asked why he joined the Marines, and he simply responded: ``Uncle Sam needed me.'' Let me highlight from his citation for the Navy Cross:

When the combat patrol with which he was serving came under heavy machine-gun shelling, Private First Class Dunn, along with 11 marines and their command officer, became separated from the remainder of the patrol and were pinned down by hostile fire. After the commanding officer and the second in command had been severely wounded, Private First Class Dunn, on his own initiative and with complete disregard for personal safety, promptly assumed command and led the men to jungle cover in the face of fierce mortar and machine-gun fire. Again trapped by Japanese, he reconnoitered and finally succeeded in leading his group, including the wounded, to their own lines.

As you can see by this citation, PFC James Dunn put the safety of his colleagues above his own. For his courage in the face of grave danger, he was decorated with the Navy Cross.

Following the war, James Dunn returned home to Pueblo, Colorado, where he lived with his family before passing away in 2000.

Mr. Speaker, I salute this brave marine and support the passage of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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