March 18, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E355 His decorated professional experience in- where he began planning for his new position South Boston and lived on Carmody Court in cludes previous roles at WHLM AM/FM in and upcoming missions. the Old Colony Housing Projects for most of Bloomsburg, and as the News Director at On May 7th, 1942, the Japanese began his growing years. He lived and raised his WKOK/WQKX in Sunbury. Mr. Giesen has building a bridge across the Salween River family all over Southie, from M Street to also worked at Clear Channel in Williamsport, that would allow them to easily move troops Preble Street, before moving to Braintree, MA Pennsylvania. and supplies into China. However, much to where he currently resides. Mr. Giesen’s passion for broadcasting the chagrin of the Japanese, Chennault and Mr. Speaker, Chuckie Wheeler attended began at a young age. As a child, he used to Tex learned of their plan. Tex led a flight to South Boston High School where he was a spin the dials on an old radio at night in an ef- the river with the intention of blocking Japa- multi-sport all-star athlete and where he met fort to reach as many stations as possible. nese advancement, and the plan proved suc- his future wife, Charlene McGinn in the story- Later on, Mr. Giesen became a fellow at cessful. According to Chennault, this was one book football player meets cheerleader fash- WKOK/AM/FM in Sunbury, and would ride his of the most critical missions the Flying Tigers ion. After graduation, he attended Saint bike to the studio in the Fort Augusta Museum would go on to accomplish. Anselm College and Northeastern University to continually immerse himself in the world of In July of 1942, after many successful com- as well as played for the South Boston Chip- broadcast journalism. bat missions, the Flying Tigers were dis- pewas Football Club. Mr. Speaker, for his committed service to banded. Though they’re remembered for their Throughout his career, Chuckie always the Sunbury Rotary Club, to his role as the successes and heroic air battles, their success worked to support his community. Chuck was employed by the Boston Housing Authority Program Director at Newsradio 1070 WKOK, came with a price. Lacking resources that typ- and the Boston Public Schools Police Depart- and to the constituents of my district, I com- ical U.S. air corps had, such as doctors, ment, prior to joining the Boston Police De- mend Mr. Giesen and congratulate him on nurses, fresh food, and maintenance per- partment in 1986 where he remained until his being named the Sunbury Rotary Club’s sonnel, the Flying Tigers were constantly fac- ing setbacks. Wounds were rarely properly retirement this year. Sunbury Citizen of the year. During his time with the Boston Police De- treated and the threat of disease was con- f partment, Chuckie provided distinguished stant. Sixteen Flying Tigers gave their lives in THE FLYING TIGERS service at both the community level as well as 1941 and 1942, though not before taking out at the Department’s Headquarters. Chuckie nearly 300 Japanese aircrafts. patrolled the streets of South Boston through After the deactivation, Tex, and five other HON. TED POE District C–6 for the early part of his career, al- former Flying Tigers, officially rejoined the OF TEXAS ways providing guidance and mentorship to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Army Air Force. On Thanks- the neighborhood youth. In the latter half of giving of 1943, Tex led troops into Formosa Wednesday, March 18, 2015 his career, Chuck became one of the corner- where they were heavily outnumbered by the stones and first members of a newly-created Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on March Japanese. Against all odds, his squadron re- Crime Scene Response Unit, where he re- 28, China will open the doors to a new mu- turned home unscathed, despite having mained until his retirement. During his time seum in . The museum will be dedi- downed over 40 Japanese planes. with the Crime Scene Unit, Chuckie held fast cated to a of American fighter pilots and Tex left active duty in 1946, but joined the to his mentorship genes and was an integral heroes. The group was originally called the Air Force Reserves shortly after, where he part of bringing the Unit to the nationally-rec- , though they are would serve until his retirement in 1968 as a ognized success it is today. Chuckie’s dedica- now famously referred to as the Flying Tigers. brigadier general. His career will go down as tion to the Department and the Crime Scene Known for the shark face art on the nose of one of the most impressive in United States Response Unit was only outshined by his their planes, the Flying Tigers were a group of military history. He’s been inducted into both commitment to his family and community, volunteers that fought alongside the Chinese the National and Texas Aviation Hall of where Chuckie could regularly be found in their defense against the Japanese at the Fames, and has received numerous awards coaching the South Boston and Braintree beginning of World War II. The group was from both the United States and China. youth in football, t-ball, baseball and softball. formed by Claire Chennault, a retired U.S. Tex and his fellow Flying Tigers, such as Mr. Speaker, Chuckie Wheeler is known for Army Air Corps Lieutenant General from Com- Claire Chennault, will go down in history as his generous spirit and kind heart. He has had merce, Texas, with permission from President one of the most selfless and heroic service the good fortune to be married to Charlene for Roosevelt himself. The Flying Tigers were groups in United States military history. They thirty-five years. Chuckie and Charlene are comprised of over 100 pilots who hailed from went to war when they didn’t have to, to de- proud parents of three children and three the United States Army Air Corps, the Navy, fend a country to which they held no alle- grandchildren with a fourth on the way! and the Marine Corps. giance. The selfless acts of the Flying Tigers Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take Before the creation of the Flying Tigers, will forever be remembered, and their duty, the floor of the House today to join with Chennault was in China working as an avia- honor, and character should help guide Ameri- Charles ‘‘Chuckie’’ Wheeler’s family, friends, tion advisor to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek cans for years to come. and contemporaries to thank him for his re- and as the director of a Chinese Air Force It’s no surprise that many of those feisty, te- markable service to the Boston Police Depart- flight school in . In 1941, Chiang Kai- nacious volunteers were from Texas. They ment and his community. Shek sent Chennault to Washington to obtain would have made the defenders of the Alamo f a war-time loan and some fighter planes, but proud. AUSTIN GUT Chennault came back with much more than And that’s just the way it is. that. f HON. ED PERLMUTTER With directions from the President and in IN HONOR OF CHARLES ‘‘CHUCKIE’’ accordance with the Generalissimo, Chennault OF COLORADO WHEELER OF THE BOSTON PO- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES headed out to recruit pilots to volunteer with LICE DEPARTMENT him in China. Since the United States was not Wednesday, March 18, 2015 yet at war, this all had to be done discreetly. Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise These brave men were secretly discharged HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH OF MASSACHUSETTS today to recognize and applaud Austin Gut for from their respective units and sent to Burma IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service for training. Within four months, the Flying Ti- Ambassadors for Youth award. Austin Gut is a gers were dropped into the battlefield and in- Wednesday, March 18, 2015 12th grader at Standley Lake High School and stantly made a name for themselves. Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in received this award because his determination One of the most famous Tigers was David honor of Charles ‘‘Chuckie’’ Wheeler, in rec- and hard work have allowed him to overcome Lee Hill, known by his comrades as ‘‘Tex,’’ ognition of his outstanding contributions to the adversities. due to his South Texas heritage. He’s remem- Boston Police Department and his hometown The dedication demonstrated by Austin Gut bered as a hero, both in China and back of South Boston, MA, and to commend him for is exemplary of the type of achievement that home. He joined the Flying Tigers in 1941, over twenty-nine years of dedicated service to can be attained with hard work and persever- and was credited with destroying over ten Jap- his community through his time at the depart- ance. It is essential students at all levels strive anese fighter planes in just his first battle in ment. to make the most of their education and de- January of 1942. A couple of months after, The son of Gerard and Anna Wheeler, velop a work ethic which will guide them for Tex was officially named squadron leader, Chuckie was born on October 1, 1955 in the rest of their lives.

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