releases: https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=56B00C0B-C737-4C56-BFCB-EA3B98A7546F
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=56B00C0B-C737-4C56-BFCB-EA3B98A7546F | Flake Helps Secure Posthumous Bronze Star for Pearl Harbor Hero | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | AZ | Jeff Flake | F000444 | www.flake.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today applauded the U.S. Navy’s decision to award Pearl Harbor hero Joseph Leon George the Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor in recognition of his efforts in rescuing six injured sailors from the sinking USS Arizona. This September, Flake secured unanimous passage of a resolution honoring George’s heroism and expressing the Senate’s desire that the U.S. Navy reconsider a past decision not to decorate George because he defied orders to rescue those six sailors. George passed away in 1996 having never received official recognition for his life-saving actions at Pearl Harbor. Rear Admiral Matthew J. Carter, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will present the Bronze Star Medal to George’s daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, on December 7 during a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Flake will be unable to attend the ceremony due to likely scheduled Senate votes. “This is a great day for those of us who have fought for recognition of the unquestionable courage and heroism demonstrated by Joseph Leon George during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I applaud the Navy’s decision to appropriately recognize George’s bravery and award him the Bronze Star,” said Flake. “It has been a privilege to join USS Arizona survivors Donald Stratton and Lauren Bruner – both heroes in their own right – and the families of Joe and the men whose lives he saved, to help secure this honor for Joe George.” George was serving as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class aboard the USS Vestal, a repair ship moored alongside the USS Arizona, when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. When the Arizona suffered a direct hit by a Japanese bomb and began to sink, George spotted six severely injured sailors trapped in the Arizona’s anti-aircraft battery located one level above the control bridge - Seaman First Class Harold Kuhn, Seaman First Class Russell Lott, Gunner's Mate Third Class Earl Riner, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Alvin Dvork, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton, and Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner. Heroically, George first threw a heaving line between the two ships, enabling the wounded sailors to climb 70 feet hand-over-hand across the line to safety. Two of those sailors would succumb to their injuries in the weeks following the attacks, while the four others would recover, serve honorably during World War II, and go on to live long lives. In July, Flake committed to spearhead the resolution during a meeting with Stratton, Bruner, members of the George family, and multiple generations of children and grandchildren who owe their lives to George’s life-saving actions. The resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). Background: On Aug. 2, 2017 Flake introduced a resolution to honor George and spoke on the Senate floor in support of the measure, describing the details of George’s heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. View Flake’s remarks here. On Sept. 7, 2017 Flake secured unanimous passage in the Senate for his resolution to honor George. Read more here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |