[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7885-S7886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO BG JAMES D. HITTLE, USMC (RET.)

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to BG 
James D. Hittle, USMC (retired) who was buried at Arlington Cemetery on 
July 24, 2002.
  I was privileged to serve with this distinguished military office and 
public servant in the Navy Secretariat during the Vietnam war years. 
His main responsibilities were naval manpower and reserve affairs, but 
his wisdom was sought not only by me as the Under Secretary of the Navy 
bust also by Secretary of the Navy John Chafee and Secretary of Defense 
Melvin Laird. He remained my friend and valued adviser throughout his 
life.
  I ask that the tribute to a great American General Don Hittle which 
was delivered at his funeral by General Paul X. Kelly, USMC (retired), 
the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps be printed in the Record.
  The tribute follows:

     A Tribute to Brigadier General James D. Hittle, USMC (Retired)

       Brigadier General James Donald Hittle--devout Christian--
     great American--Marine officer--gentleman and gentle man--
     loving husband--caring father--always a friend in need!
       Commissioned a Marine Second Lieutenant in 1937, Don Hittle 
     was a ``plank owner'' when Major General Holland Smith 
     activated the 1st Marine Division for World War II--was D-4 
     for the 3d Marine Division under Major General Graves Erskine 
     on Guam and at Iwo Jima--and after the war commanded 2d 
     Battalion, 7th Marines, in the Occupation of North China.
       After serving his Corps for 23 years, Don Hittle's future 
     life could easily qualify him as a quintessential 
     ``Renaissance Man.''
       He was Director of National Security and Foreign Affairs 
     for the Veterans of Foreign Wars; syndicated columnist for 
     Copley News Service; commentator for Mutual Broadcasting 
     System; Special Counsel for both the Senate and House Armed 
     Service Committees; a founder and Director of the D.C. 
     National Bank; Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower 
     and Reserve Affairs; Senior Vice President for Pan American 
     Airways; consultant to the President of the Overseas Private 
     Investment Corporation; advisor to several Secretaries of the 
     Navy and Commandants of the Marine Corps--and the list goes 
     on and on and on.
       Colonel Don Hittle came into my life during the summer of 
     1956, when Major General Jim Riseley dragged me kicking and 
     screaming from a cushy tour in what was then the Territory of 
     Hawaii to the labyrinthian corridors of Headquarters Marine 
     Corps. As many of those here today will recall, this was the 
     long, hot summer of Ribbon Creek, and Don Hittle was 
     Legislative Assistant to Randolph McCall Pate, our 21st 
     Commandant. I was a young, eager, starry-eyed Captain, very 
     naive in the arcane world at the Seat of Government--but, I 
     was soon to learn. My first lesson was a negative one--that a 
     junior officer should never ask the Legislative Assistant to 
     the Commandant for a description of his duties and 
     responsibilities. With that said, I did notice that every 
     time Colonel Hittle came charging into General Riseley's 
     office he closed the door behind him. While I readily 
     admit to not being a ``rocket scientist,'' I did surmise 
     that there were some ``big time'' discussions underway. 
     But, as the saying goes: ``Nothing succeeds quite like 
     success.'' I was soon to learn that

[[Page S7886]]

     by working closely with the Congress, where Members and 
     their staffs knew him, respected him, and trusted him, Don 
     Hittle had effectively minimized the repercussions from 
     Ribbon Creek. One senior member from the House of 
     Representatives was heard to say: ``Don Hittle is the best 
     damned Legislative Assistant the Marine Corps has ever 
     had.''
       One could go on for hours, perhaps days, about Don's myriad 
     contributions to his Country and his Corps. As an example, I 
     could tell you how he more than any other saved the Army Navy 
     Club from extinction. Senator John Warner, who is here with 
     us today, could tell you that when he was Secretary of the 
     Navy he never had a more imaginative and dedicated Assistant 
     Secretary. Joe Bartlett, the former House Reading Clerk and a 
     retired Marine Corps General, could tell you how Don Hittle 
     was responsible for the creation of the dynamic Congressional 
     Marine Club. Incidentally, Jim Lawrence, who is also with us 
     today, once said of this organization: ``Congress created the 
     Marine Corps--Congress has sustained the Marine Corps--
     Congress has mandated the mission of the Marine Corps--
     through this organization we are now bonded to each other 
     forever.''
       In the end, however, all of his many other contributions to 
     his Country and to his beloved Corps pale by comparison to 
     what he accomplished as a member of the renowned ``Chowder 
     Society'', that elite group of brilliant Marine officers who, 
     in the aftermath of World War II when the very life of our 
     Corps was threatened, insured that our existence, our roles, 
     and our missions were written into law. Don's critical role 
     in the survival of his Corps was best described by General 
     Merrill Twining when he inscribed his book, No Bended Knee, 
     ``To: Don Hittle, Who saved our Corps.'' There can be no 
     doubt that our Corps we have today, with three active 
     divisions and wings written into law, owes an enormous debt 
     of gratitude to Brigadier General James D. Hittle, USMC 
     (Retired).
       Isn't it ironic to remember that fifty-five years ago 
     certain groups, whose objectives were inimical to the 
     survival of our Corps, were attempting to relegate us into 
     insignificance. Today, with a lion's share of the credit for 
     making it possible going to Don Hittle, we have just heard 
     that Jim Jones, our 32d Commandant, is soon to be the Supreme 
     Allied Commander in Europe. Our congratulations go to Jim--
     his Corps is very proud--Don Hittle is very proud!
       Several years after my retirement, Don asked me to join him 
     for lunch at his Army Navy Club. His purpose was to ask if I 
     would give his eulogy. I was honored beyond belief, but did 
     not look forward to the day when it would become a reality.
       Before closing, let me share with you a story that Joe 
     Bartlett told me last week.
       Jinny and Joe are members of a Bible class at their church. 
     As a gesture of their love and caring for those who are 
     terminally ill, the class prepares an audio tape for their 
     listening. On one side they include the patient's favorite 
     hymns, and, on the other, a medley of their favorite tunes. 
     During Don's last days with us--a time when he was under 
     heavy sedation--Joe swears that Don's body stiffened to 
     attention every time the Marines Hymn was played.
       In closing, let me remind you that Don lived by two simple 
     words--words which have given inspiration to our Corps for 
     over 200 years--Semper Fidelis--always faithful.
       Don Hittle was always:
       Semper Fidelis to his God.
       Semper Fidelis to his Country.
       Semper Fidelis to his Family.
       Semper Fidelis to his Corps.
       And, Semper Fidelis to his fellow man.
       In Don's memory, then, let us share these meaningful words 
     with each other as we leave this holy place--and let us pray 
     that one day we can live in a world where all of its citizens 
     are Semper Fidelis to each other. Don Hittle would like 
     that.

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