Congressman Mike Michaud escorted Jan Barrett of Lewiston to a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony held in the U.S. Capitol Building to honor the military service of members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service of the U.S. Army in WWII. Barrett's father, Lt. Colonel Thomas Plourde of Lewiston, was awarded the honor posthumously. Plourde was one of the few members of his battalion that was not a Japanese American, but one who served as a decorated leader and led a task force that accepted the surrender of 33 German officers and over 300 soldiers in Alessandria, Italy after its five year occupation. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
Prior to attending the ceremony, Michaud surprised Barrett with a statement he submitted in the House of Representatives that honors her father's military service in the official Congressional Record. Barrett sat with Michaud during today's ceremony.
"It was an honor to join Jan in Washington to honor her father's distinguished service," said Michaud. "Thomas Plourde, and the many brave Japanese Americans that he fought alongside, overcame great obstacles and deserve this highest of recognitions. They put their lives on the line for all of us and accomplished an extraordinary amount at great sacrifice during the course of their military service. Our nation will be forever grateful for their courageous actions."
Photos available for download and use can be found by following the links below.
PHOTO 1 & PHOTO 2: Lt. Colonel Thomas Plourde of Lewiston
PHOTO 3: Barrett shares photos of her father with Michaud.
PHOTO 4: Michaud surprises Barrett with a statement he submitted in the House of Representatives, which honors her father's military service in the official Congressional Record.
PHOTO 5: Michaud with Barrett prior to the ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Building.
The text of the Congressional Record statement Michaud submitted.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
HONORING LT. COLONEL THOMAS PLOURDE
HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD OF MAINE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 2, 2011
MR SPEAKER, I rise today to recognize Lt. Colonel Thomas Plourde of Lewiston, Maine. Plourde was a member of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Japanese American Combat Team in World War II, all of whom will be receiving Congressional Gold Medals today.
The 442nd Combat Team was comprised almost entirely of Japanese Americans, men who volunteered to fight tyranny and oppression abroad even while their families were interred in camps at home. For its size and length of service, it was the most decorated unit in the entire history of the United States military. In the course of their service, the 442nd earned 9,486 Purple Hearts, eight Presidential Unit Citations, and 21 Medals of Honor. These brave men fought with unparalleled skill and valor winning tremendous victories for the allies in Europe. Their heroism cannot be overstated.
At just 23 years old at the time of his enlistment, Thomas Plourde would serve as a 1st Lieutenant before rising to become a company commander for the 442nd. Following a decisive victory in the allied push to liberate Italy, Lieutenant Plourde led a task force that secured the capture of 33 German officers and over 300 soldiers in the city of Alessandria. For his actions, he was awarded a division citation and accepted the key to Alessandria on behalf of his battalion. Subsequently Plourde would receive a field promotion to the rank of Captain, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Unit Badge for his heroism. Citing his effectiveness under fire and his personal concern for the men under his command, Plourde's commanding officer Major Mitsuyoshi Fukuda wrote that he had "won the highest respect from both the men and the officers within the 100th Battalion."
Today, Thomas Plourde's daughter, Janet Barrett, will accept the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of her father for his courageous service in the war. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States. The decoration is awarded to an individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service for the security, prosperity, and national interest of the country. Mainers have a long tradition of service in the armed forces. I am proud of Lt. Colonel Plourde's place in that history. His remarkable leadership and heroism in the face of unspeakable evil will never be forgotten.
MR. SPEAKER, please join me in honoring Lt. Colonel Thomas Plourde of Lewiston, Maine for his distinguished service to this country.
