Bart Stupak: “I rise to honor Private First Class Billy MacLeod. Private First Class Billy MacLeod of Cheboygan, Michigan, was a brave…”

“I rise to honor Private First Class Billy MacLeod. Private First Class Billy MacLeod of Cheboygan, Michigan, was a brave 19-year-old who answered the call to duty and served our Nation during the Korean War. Billy was among the thousands of U.S. and other United Nations servicemembers pitted against the North Koreans and Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. These men were outnumbered by the Chinese and faced bitter cold winter temperatures. It was in this battle on November 28, 1950, that Billy lost his life fighting for his country. The Army first declared Billy missing in action, but soon after informed his family that Billy was, in fact, killed in action. Unfortunately, Billy's body was not recovered, and Billy's family was never able to welcome him home. After 58 years, and through the use of modern technology, the Army positively identified Billy's remains. Billy's body, along with five of his comrades, was discovered in 2002 by accident when a road was being built near the trench where he was buried. Army officials recovered about 90 percent of Billy's remains and were successful in matching his DNA with that of his half-brother, Burnie Potter. Burnie Potter had given the Army a DNA sample years ago on the chance that Billy's remains might one day be recovered. On October 31 of just last year, Burnie Potter and the rest of Billy's extended family finally received their answers. Billy had been found and was coming home.”