August 4, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 138 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S4724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO EUGENE F. COYLE

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and pay tribute 
to Mr. Eugene F. Coyle, a patriot who served in the U.S. Army during 
the Korean war.
  At the age of 23, Sergeant Eugene F. Coyle enlisted in the U.S. Army, 
just 3 months after the war started in Korea. As a rifleman and 
machinegunner assigned to the 24st Infantry Division, 21st Regiment, 
2nd Battalion, F Company, Eugene was quickly put into the fight, 
experiencing a number of combat engagements with the enemy.
  One such engagement occurred in April 1951 near the Hwacheon 
Reservoir, South Korea, where Eugene exhibited composure under fire. As 
squad leader, Eugene led an advance against the enemy until his 
position was hit by mortar fire. Despite sustaining injuries from the 
shelling, he continued to provide covering fire for his unit.
  During another combat engagement in early July 1951, in the vicinity 
of Sabanggo-ri, North Korea, an enemy mortar round threw Eugene from 
his fighting position. Eugene, though injured by shrapnel, would not 
leave the fight. He regained his footing and ran to aid a severely 
injured soldier, getting him to cover. Eugene was later sent to the 
hospital ship USS Repose for his own injuries.
  Eugene, deserving of commendation for his courage under fire, as well 
as for his wounds resulting from close engagement with enemy forces, 
would unfortunately wait decades before the Nation properly recognized 
him for his service and sacrifice, even as he carried a piece of 
shrapnel embedded within his body for over 60 years.
  On November 15, 2017, Eugene F. Coyle was awarded the Purple Heart in 
addition to the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, and the Combat Infantry 
Badge. Like many veterans of his generation have experienced, poor or 
lost records have made it difficult to meet stringent administrative 
requirements for certain military awards. This challenge does not 
diminish their courage, nor our gratitude, for their actions in defense 
of freedom.
  The gallantry of Eugene F. Coyle reminds us what we owe heroes like 
him for the sacrifices, often unrecognized and unrequited, that they 
have made. I am honored to pay tribute to Eugene F. Coyle and thank him 
for his exemplary service to our county.

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