IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN ``JACK'' FRANCIS DWYER (1921-2015) FOR HIS SERVICE AS PART OF THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICE (OSS) DURING WWII AS PART OF OPERATION CARPETBAGGER; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 157
(Extensions of Remarks - September 11, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN ``JACK'' FRANCIS DWYER (1921-2015) FOR HIS
SERVICE AS PART OF THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICE (OSS) DURING WWII AS
PART OF OPERATION CARPETBAGGER
______
HON. JAHANA HAYES
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 11, 2020
Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Sargent
John Francis Dwyer and his service to our country. As a member of the
Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII as part of Operation
Carpetbagger, Sargent Dwyer was among the men and women who comprised
America's first spy agency, a predecessor to the CIA. On March 21,
2018, Congress bestowed its highest civilian honor upon the group by
presenting them with the Congressional Gold Medal.
The archivists of the Air Force Historical Research Agency, the
repository of the United States Air Force's official unit histories,
have researched their files and found that after enlistment on August
5, 1942, Sergeant John F. Dwyer arrived in England on March 18, 1945
and was subsequently assigned to the 406th Bombardment Squadron at
Harrington Airdrome. After theater and aircrew orientation, Sergeant
Dwyer and his crew, under the command of Captain Maurice W. Freeman,
become operational on May 17, 1945. Captain Freeman and his crew flew
eight successful missions between May 17 and June 9. Sergeant Dwyer was
honorably discharged on November 10, 1945.
In addition to the dangers from German night fighters and flak, the
Carpetbaggers always ran the risk of crashing into hillsides as they
made low-level parachute deliveries to the resistance forces waiting
below. From January 1944 to May 1945, they completed 1,860 sorties and
delivered 20,495 containers and 11,174 packages of vital supplies to
the resistance forces in western and northwestern Europe. Overall, more
than 1,000 parachutists were dropped into enemy territory.
The OSS Congressional Gold Medal Act states that the group was
America's first effort to implement a system of strategic intelligence
during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American
intelligence and special operations communities. At its peak in late
1944, it employed almost 13,000 individuals, a third of whom were
women.
The OSS organized, trained, supplied, and fought with resistance
organizations throughout Europe and Asia which played an important role
in America's victory during World War II. The OSS invented and employed
new technology through its Research and Development Branch, inventing
new weapons and revolutionary communications equipment. Its X-2 branch
pioneered counterintelligence with the British and established the
modern counterintelligence community. The network of contacts built by
the OSS with foreign intelligence services led to enduring Cold War
alliances. OSS ``Mercy Missions'' at the end of World War II saved the
lives of thousands of Allied prisoners of war.
Present-day Special Operations Forces trace their lineage to the OSS.
Its Maritime Unit was a precursor to the U.S. Navy SEALs. The OSS
Operational Groups and Jedburghs were forerunners to U.S. Army Special
Forces. The 801st/492nd Bombardment Group were progenitors to the Air
Force Special Operations Command. The Marines who served in the OSS
were predecessors to the Marine Special Operations Command. U.S. Coast
Guard personnel were recruited for the Maritime Unit and its
Operational Simmer Group. Ultimately, the OSS spawned the Central
Intelligence Agency.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant
John Francis Dwyer as he rests in peace after such extraordinary
service to the United States of America.
____________________