[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FRED ELLIOT ROBB, USN RET., WORLD WAR I VETERAN AND OLDEST LIVING 
                                 MARINE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the few 
remaining World War I veterans living among us. Fred Elliot Robb is an 
American of exceptional character, having served in our Armed Services 
during three major conflicts of the twentieth century.
  Originally enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on July 18th, 
1918, Fred served as an orderly to a Captain at Quantico, Virginia. He 
was discharged in February of 1919 and returned home to Sarcoxie, 
Missouri to complete high school and to make service his vocation by 
becoming a Presbyterian minister.
  When World War II broke out, Fred Robb once again offered his service 
to his country. He joined the United States Navy as a chaplain and 
remained in uniform through the first engagements of the War in 
Vietnam, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander.
  Patriotism runs deep in the Robb family. Fred's brother Jacob, also a 
veteran of World War I, passed away on February 29th of this year at 
age 105. At the age of 107, Fred, along with his wife Fern, are 
independent, contributing citizens of the Great State of Missouri.
  Throughout his remarkable life, Fred Elliot Robb has exemplified 
selfless devotion to duty. When his nation needed him, Fred Robb looked 
with resolve at the challenges facing our nation and accepted them with 
bravery, determination, and service. Throughout his life he has 
continued to live by those ideals.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that Fred Robb calls Springfield, 
Missouri, his home. As we approach Memorial Day, we honor this oldest 
living Marine for his sacrifice on behalf of our nation and for the 
example that he sets for generations of Americans to come.

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