June 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 96 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S3282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO JOHN STILLMON WILLIS, JR.

 Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of 
First Lieutenant John Stillmon Willis, Jr.'s 100th birthday and to 
speak on his extraordinary life and accomplishments. Mr. Willis has 
served his Nation honorably, and put his life on the line for the 
values that we hold dear as Americans. For this, we are forever 
grateful.
  Mr. Willis was born on June 2, 1919, and was raised in Doyline, LA. 
He attended Louisiana State University from 1937-1940 and graduated 
with a degree in agronomy. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 
Mr. Willis, a member in the army infantry reserve as a lieutenant in 
the U.S. Army, volunteered for pilot training. He was then transferred 
to the Army Air Corps, in grade, as a second lieutenant, and assigned 
to the 452nd Bomb group in Deopham Green Airbase in Atleborough in 
Norfolk, England. While there, he piloted a B-17 Flying Fortress and 
hit strategic targets in Germany and supported ground forces across 
Europe after the D-Day invasion. He would later be promoted to first 
lieutenant. After the fighting stopped, Mr. Willis credited the 
survival of his crew and himself to the fact that the ``good Lord has 
his arms around them.''
  After the war, he worked in his father's lumber business for 20 
years. Mr. Willis would go on to marry Lillian Mae Life and have one 
daughter, Martha Lou Willis, who gave them 3 grandchildren. The 
Willises enjoyed a beautiful 54 year marriage. Mr. Willis worked for 
another 20 years at his father-in-law's business, Webb Hardware, in 
Minden, LA. Mr. Willis recently celebrated his 100th birthday at St. 
John's Episcopal Church in Minden, where he has been a lifelong member.
  It is because of his long list of accomplishments and beautiful life 
that we celebrate First Lieutenant John Stillmon Willis Jr.'s 100th 
birthday. We honor and thank him for a lifetime of service to our State 
and country and wish him the happiest of birthdays.

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