[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 108 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1470-E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING OTIS CHARTIER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I would like to 
recognize Mr. Otis Meril Chartier, who received the Bronze Star for his 
service during WWII. He served our country 56 years ago and just 
recently received this distinguished honor.
  At a family picnic not too far from Parker, Colorado, Otis was 
awarded the Bronze Star in recognition of his courage in February of 
1945. During WWII, he and another soldier took on a German machine gun 
haven where they disrupted its activity and eliminated two enemy 
soldiers. A howitzer shell then bombarded the nest and the area was 
neutralized. For this valorous effort, Otis was granted the Bronze 
Star. His courageous act was executed only 4 months before the end of 
the war.

[[Page E1471]]

  After joining the Army in 1940, Otis was put in charge of the Victory 
Garden due to his background in farming, and was eventually sent to 
infantry school. This was followed by his deployment to France in 
December of 1944. In his first battlefield experience, his 12-member 
squad was sent ahead of the group to scout. This scouting effort lead 
to the group being ambushed, leaving only Otis alive as the other 
soldiers were killed in the line of duty. One other notable battlefield 
experience that caused his life to flash before his eyes happened as he 
and two other soldiers were rushing into town when a mortar shell hit 
immediately in front of them, causing permanent damage in his right 
ear.
  On December 20, 1945, Otis returned home to find employment as a 
carpenter. Although this paid the bills, his true passion was music. He 
joined a band in 1946 called the Trailblazers and ventured to Montana 
to play for audiences for about three years, until his hearing would 
not permit him to continue anymore. Otis then returned to Colorado and 
was employed by Gates Rubber Company for 31 years. Today, he enjoys 
spending time with his family.
  While much time has passed since the war, the importance and 
acknowledgement of the heroism that Otis Chartier exhibited shall not 
vanish with time. He was a part of the victorious effort to ensure 
peace across the globe. It is my pleasure to offer my congratulations 
and sincerest thanks to Otis for his dedicated service and patriotism.

                          ____________________