Political Quotes

“today I wish to congratulate Lt. Gen. Charles ``Chick'' Cleveland of Montgomery, AL, for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal as one of the American Fighter Aces. Lt. Gen. ``Chick'' Cleveland's distinguished Air Force career spanned nearly four decades, and more than 4,300 flight hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force), Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Republic of Korea Order of Military Merit, Chung Mu. Less than 3 years after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and within months of joining the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, he scored four confirmed MiG- 15 kills. On September 21, 1952, Lieutenant Cleveland's squadron fought another flight of MiGs. Cleveland engaged one of the enemy aircraft and fired, scoring hits in the tail pipe, engine, and right wing. Within seconds, there was an explosion, and the MiG fell out of the sky. However, instead of watching the MiG to claim credit for the kill, Lieutenant Cleveland broke off the engagement to assist his squadron. He left Korea with those four confirmed kills--one confirmed victory short of becoming an ace.…”