[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GENERAL CLIFTON B. CATES, USMC

 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor today to 
ask that my colleagues join with me in paying tribute to the 19th 
Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates. I am 
confident the Senate will grant approval to express a Sense of the 
Congress that the next LPD-17 amphibious vessel be named in General 
Cates' honor.
  General Cates was a native of Tennessee, born in Tiptonville, and 
later educated at the University of Tennessee earning a Bachelor of 
Laws degree. He was Commissioned a second lieutenant on June 13, 1917. 
General Cates had a remarkable career that took him to battles 
defending American interests around the globe. The then-Lieutenant 
Cates demonstrated his dedication to duty in such legendary battles as 
Belleau Wood and Verdun where he won the Navy Cross and two Silver Star 
medals.
  During WW II, General Cates commanded the 1st Marine Regiment's 
landing in Guadalcanal and later was the Commander of the Fourth Marine 
Division in the Marianas operation. General Cates fought in Tinian and 
perhaps the most famous of Marine Corps clashes, the seizure of Iwo 
Jima. The valor demonstrated by the General in all of these hard fought 
battles continues to be an example for young Marines deployed around 
the world today.
  General Cates died at age 76 in June of 1970 after an extremely 
distinguished and long career. It is only appropriate that the Congress 
express its desire to have the Secretary of the Navy bestow the honor 
of naming a vessel for General Cates.

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