[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 84 (Monday, June 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6490-S6491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO BG JAMES D. HITTLE

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, during most of our lives, we 
encounter an individual who lived a remarkably fine personal and 
professional life. Such is the case of BG James D. Hittle, USMCR, whose 
anniversary of his death, June 15, recently passed. General Hittle's 
death received very little press coverage at the time, and I would like 
to share with my colleagues what this man achieved in his life time in 
the words of a former Commandant of the Marine Corps, GEN P.X. Kelley, 
USMC (Ret.)
  I ask that the eulogy given by General Kelley be printed in the 
Congressional Record.
  The material follows.

             A Tribute to BGen James D. Hittle, USMC (Ret)

                  (By Gen Paul X. Kelley, USMC (Ret))

       BGen James Donald Hittle--devout Christian--great 
     American--Marine officer--gentleman and gentle man--loving 
     husband--caring father--always a friend indeed!
       Commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in 1937, Don Hittle 
     was a ``plank owner'' when MajGen Holland Smith activated the 
     1st Marine Division for World War II--was G-4 for the 3d 
     Marine Division under MajGen 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 
     Services Committees, a founder and Director of the DC 
     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.
       Col Don Hittle came into my life during the summer of 1956 
     when MajGen 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 negative one--that

[[Page S6491]]

     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 Col Hittle came charging into Gen 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 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 had 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, ensured 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 Gen 
     Merrill Twining when he inscribed his book ``No Bended 
     Knee.'' ``To: Don Hittle, Who saved our Corps.'' There can 
     be no doubt that the Corps we have today, with three 
     active divisions and wings written into law, owes an 
     enormous debt of gratitude to BGen James D. Hittle, USMC 
     (Ret).
       Isn't it ironic to remember that 55 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 Marine's 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.

                          ____________________