OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Recognizing Corporal Paul Phelps As the Tennessee Second District's Veteran of the Month

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 18, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Corporal Paul Phelps. Corporal Phelps was 18 years old and working in the Baltimore shipping yards when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. He was sent to Fort Bragg in North Carolina for basic training before he was shipped to Massachusetts for infantry training.

Corporal Phelps was assigned to the 7th Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division and was sent to Liverpool, England, in May of 1944.

He was promoted to a T5 corporal during the Siege of Bastogne and received a citation from President Roosevelt. Corporal Phelps received four battle stars from his time overseas. Even though he stared death in the face, Corporal Phelps said he doesn't consider himself to be a hero.

Corporal Phelps married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, and they were married for 54 glorious years before she passed away. They have two daughters, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Corporal Phelps lives in Knoxville and will turn 100 years old in early 2025. Corporal Phelps loves this country, and it is my honor to recognize Corporal Phelps as the Tennessee Second District's November 2024 Veteran of the Month.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward