TRIBUTE TO COL. ARTHUR STEWART MEARNS

HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1977

Mr. Dorman, Mr. Speaker, Col. Arthur Stewart Mearns was honored by burial with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on our traditional Veteran’s Day, November 11 of this year, exactly 11 years from the date his plane was shot down by Communist gunners over North Vietnam. I would like to present here the brief biography which appeared in Colonel Mearns’ funeral program. Even it, however, cannot capture the spirit of this brave American but perhaps we can share some of that spirit through the words that follow his biography, which I was privileged to read during the graveside service. It is a poem that Colonel Mearns loved very much "High Flight." His beautiful daughters, Missy and Frances, and his devoted wife, Pat, remembered that Art had memorized this lilting tribute to the lure of flight during his pilot training.

Also missing from full mention was the courageous fight waged by his loyal wife for over a decade, to achieve a fair accounting from the Communists of American prisoners and missing-in-action in Southeast Asia. It is a fight that has not ended. But we are thankful that the earthly remains of Art Mearns now lie at rest, in honor, on a hillside not far from here. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please consider the noble life and spirit of one of our Nation’s courageous heros (sic)- the kind of excellent man who has purchased with his life’s blood our precious liberty.

The biography and poem follows:

ARTHUR STEWART MEARNS

Arthur Stewart Mearns, upon graduation from Colgate University and Air Force ROTC, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, May 23, 1952. Through pilot training at Malden, Missouri, James Connally AFB and Nellis AFB, he commenced his career as a fighter pilot. Flying the F-86, he served a tour in Korea, May 1955 through May 1956.

During a long stint as gunnery and academic instructor at Luke AFB, Art was able to share his love of flying, along with his experience and skill, with scores of younger pilots, establishing a lasting camaraderie, which has endured through the years.

Art and Mary-Ann "Pat" Patterson were married January 18, 1958. Art and Pat together occupied a central position in that unique and blessed fraternity of fighter pilots, with all the joys and the exhilaration, the sorrows and the profound caring for one another. And this great community supported and sustained them all throughout the Vietnam years.

Their beloved daughters Mary Ann ("Missy") and Frances – they too have been intimately a part of the Air Force family, nourished and sustained by it.

On November 11, 1966, eleven years ago today, Colonel, then Major, Mearns, with his family not far removed in Japan, set out as the flight leader for a flight of F-105s for a target area northeast of Hanoi. Low clouds and generally bad weather, coupled with heavy enemy fire made the mission virtually impossible. Yet in heroic fashion Major Mearns and his fellow airmen performed the impossible; the target was hit. In leaving the area the flight leader’s aircraft was badly damaged by enemy groundfire and burning.

The attempt to reach the coast was nearly successful. Art’s wingman saw a canopy deploy, but low fuel supplies and heavy concentrations of ground troops made rescue impossible.

Those intervening years affected the entire family, naturally; they were in a prolonged period of limbo. So many were touched by these years of uncertainty: Art’s father and mother; she died of cancer nearly three years ago; he, a retired U.S. Navy Commander, now invalided; Art’s sister and her husband, the latter a U.S. Navy Captain. And Pat’s parents, sister and brother-in-law. They have kept their faith, by the grace of God and the love of many friends. They also worked and cared for others in the same situation, serving among the leaders of the National League of Families of Servicemen Missing in Action in Southeast Asia.

The long vigil is now ending. Colonel Mearns’ earthly remains were returned to the country he served so nobly in September of this year, and positive identification was made 26 October 1977.

Decorated with the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Colonel Arthur Stewart Mearns is honored by burial in Arlington National Cemetery. What is more, he brings honor and distinction to this historic place. The heroic quality of his life and service veritably hallow this ground, his final resting place. Rest in peace, brave airman and faithful Christian; may light perpetual shine on you.