[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE MARINE CORPS OFFICERS OF THE 11TH SPECIAL BASIC COURSE 
                         ON THEIR 54TH REUNION

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                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Marine Corps 
officers of the 11th Special Basic Course who are celebrating the 54th 
anniversary of their commissioning with a reunion during the week of 
May 12-15, 2005.
  The officers of the 11th Special Basic Course (11th SBC) at Quantico, 
Virginia, started training in the fall of 1951 and completed their 
training in March 1952. Although the class was a relatively small one, 
with just over two hundred officer candidates, they represented one 
hundred and eight different colleges and universities. Candidates from 
36 States, the District of Columbia and Guam were in this class, making 
it one of the most representational Marine Corps basic officers' 
courses.
  During the Korean War the class had its share of officers who 
distinguished themselves in combat. Rod Skinner, Harvard '51, was 
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for valor. John 
Word received the Navy Cross, the second highest award that our Nation 
can bestow for courage. Others were awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze 
Star, and the Purple Heart. The class also had its share of men wounded 
and killed in combat action.
  Although only a comparatively few members became regular officers, 
many served and retired from the Reserves while pursuing careers in 
law, education, religious ministry, athletics, engineering, business, 
and politics. Among those who were career officers of the Corps was a 
former Member of Congress, the Honorable Ben Blaz, Notre Dame '51. Ben 
served 30 years in the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Brigadier 
General before retiring and subsequently embarking on a political 
career. He was one of my predecessors as the Congressional 
representative from Guam in this, the House of the People.
  It is a great honor for me to memorialize the visit of these Marine 
veterans, their families and friends, to the capital of our Nation for 
whom they carried their swords in her defense.
  Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who have served and to 
those who currently wear the uniform of our armed forces. We therefore 
welcome the Marine Corps officers of 11th Special Basic Course (11th 
SBC) on their reunion and we recognize their contributions to our 
Nation.
  The Marine veterans and their families include: Robert Altick, Leslie 
Altick, Al Bailey, Mary Bailey, Charles Bentzen, Constance Bentzen, 
John Bickley, Anne Bickley, V. Ben Blaz, Ted Brothers, Charles 
Clifford, David Curry, Natalie Curry, Frank Delaney, Martha Delaney, 
Thomas Fallon, Mary Fallon, Marshall Figgatt, Alan Figgatt, Benis 
Frank, Marylou Frank, Tina Cooper, Erika Helgeson, William Keating, 
Robert Land, Joan Land, Thomas Land, James Land, John Lussenhop, Kay 
Lussenhop, Gene Moyers, Fern Moyers, Herbert Oxnam, Betty Oxnam, 
Richard Paschal, Len Paschal, Jordan Peck, Henry Pruitt, Mary Pruitt, 
Thomas Qualls, Chayne Stinemetz, Larue Stinemetz, Spatz Thomaidis, 
Virginia Swisher, Stanley Wilson, and Barbara Wilson.
  To the Marine Corps officers of the 11th SBC and their families, may 
you always know that our Nation appreciates the sacrifices that you 
have made and that your patriotism continues to inspire the generations 
of Marines who follow in your footsteps. Semper Fidelis.




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