[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E655-E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                U.S. MARINE OFFICERS' GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, this week, fifty veterans and retirees 
are gathering in Washington to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of 
their commissioning as officers of the United States Marines. Although 
their officers' class (11th SBC) was a relatively small one at a little 
over 200 members, their backgrounds portray a remarkable tapestry of 
Americana. They came from hometowns in 34 States of the Union, the 
District of Columbia, and the Territory of Guam; and, they earned their 
baccalaureate degrees came from over 100 colleges and universities 
throughout the land.
  In 1951, against the backdrop of a raging war in the Korean 
Peninsula, they volunteered to serve and took the oath to support and 
defend the United States of America. And defend it they did, sustaining 
their share of combat casualties, both wounded and killed in action. 
One of their members, Sherrod E. Skinner, was awarded the Medal of 
Honor posthumously; another, John Word, received the nation's second 
highest combat award, the Navy Cross. Others still, received the medals 
and decorations for heroism and valor shown on the awards list.
  Although only a relatively few members of the class became career 
officers, many served and retired from the Marine Corps Reserve while 
pursuing careers in law, education, religious ministry, athletics, 
engineering, business, and politics. Among those who went into

[[Page E656]]

politics is someone well known to many of us, my predecessor, General 
Ben Blaz, who was elected to the Congress after retiring from the 
Marines. As a former Member of Congress, Ben will be escorting his 
comrades to this chamber where deliberations and decisions were made 
that committed them to combat in Korea and Vietnam.
  There is a marvelous irony in my having the privilege to call my 
colleagues' attention to the contributions that these courageous men of 
the Corps have made to our country, both in war and peace. During the 
Spanish-American War, a young man from Gastonia, North Carolina joined 
the Marines and was part of the contingent that was sent to Guam to 
formally occupy the island. He was so enchanted by the island and, I 
hasten to add, its lovely senoritas, that he chose to stay in Guam. In 
time, he married a native girl and started a family. His name was James 
Underwood. He was my grandfather.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for extending me the honor of paying tribute 
to these veterans and retirees of the Corps and to salute them, in 
behalf of our grateful nation, on the Golden Anniversary of their 
commissioning as officers of Marines.

       (Roster of members/wives of deceased members of the 11th 
     SBC Marines celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their 
     commissioning as Officers of Marines, May 3-5, 2001):
       Robert Altick, Al Bailey, Robert Beezer, Gene Benbow, 
     Charles Bentzen, John Bickley, Ben Blaz, Ted Brothers, 
     Charles Clifford, John Connor, Frank Delaney, and Bill 
     Diederich.
       Tom Fallon, Dale Faust, Marshall Figgatt, Benis Frank, Ced 
     Gifford, Bill Gilwee, Fred Grube, (Mrs.) Don Helgeson, 
     Maurice Heartfield, Bill Keating, John Keck, and Paul 
     Kortepeter.
       Bill Kyle, Tom Lamb, Bob Land, Bob Lavine, (Mrs.) James 
     Lindsey, John Lussenhop, Andy McDonald, Harold Marshall, Joe 
     Molitoris, Gene Moyers, (Mrs.) Dick Norlin, and Larry O'Nele.
       Herb Oxnam, Dick Paschal, Jordan Peck, Hank Pruitt, Tom 
     Qualls, Stan Rauh, Chayne Stinemetz, Dick Stone, Noval 
     Stephens, Speros Thomaidis, Peter Walker, and Stan Wilson.

     

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