[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MR. CHANCY WHEELER OF WEST UNION, OH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
distinguished resident of West Union. OH, in the Second Congressional 
District, Mr. Chancy Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler will turn 100 years old on 
June 5, and he is being honored by the Government of France for his 
military service in the First World War.
  Mr. Wheeler was born in 1899 in Mount Olivet, KY. He volunteered for 
the Kentucky National Guard, and then transferred into the United 
States Army in 1917. As a member of the First Infantry Division, 28th 
Regiment, First Machine Gun Brigade, he served in 1918 in the Aisne-
Marne offensive, the St. Michiel offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne 
offensive. He was wounded twice in battle. For his actions, he received 
the Silver Star medal on July 21, 1918. He also received a 75th 
Anniversary Commemorative Medal for World War I veterans from the U.S. 
Army.
  Mr. Wheeler will receive the French Legion of Honor in a ceremony 
organized by VFW Post 3400 in West Union, OH, on March 12. In his 
letter conveying the Legion of Honor to Mr. Wheeler, French Ambassador 
Bujon de l'Estang wrote: ``The Legion of Honor is conferred on you by 
the French government as a sign of the high esteem my country has for 
you who personally contributed to the decisive support the United 
States gave to French soldiers in the defense of their country during 
World War I.''
  Chancy Wheeler distinguished himself in the struggle to ``make the 
world safe for democracy'' and served his country with honor. All of us 
in the Second Congressional District are grateful for his service and 
commend him on his recognition by the French Government. I wish him 
health and happiness in the years to come.

                          ____________________