[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               WORLD WAR II MARINE GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, James DeLeon is one this year's 2008 high 
school graduates. The difference is he is 83 years old.
  He was born in Goliad, Texas, and when World War II broke out he 
dropped out of Ganado High School, lied about his age and joined the 
U.S. Marine Corps. His 16-year-old brother, Charlie, did the same thing 
a few weeks later.
  James was part of the 6,000 Marines sent into battle at Guadalcanal 
in the South Pacific in 1942. There, they seized the island's airport 
and never relinquished it. He was also in the invasion of Okinawa--the 
site of one of the fiercest battles of World War II--where he remained 
until the end of the war. He had served 34 months in the Marine Corps.
  Then, James returned to Texas and married his sweetheart, Susie Marie 
Elizondo; raised seven children and worked for 36 years at the Port 
Arthur, Texas, Texaco refining plant. Recently, his daughter Theresa 
located a lost letter from the Marines to Ganado High School dated 1947 
stating that DeLeon met all the requirements to earn his diploma. She 
mailed it to the current principal and James was then honored with his 
own graduation ceremony.
  James DeLeon is yet another successful member of the Greatest 
Generation that answered America's call in time of need.
  And that's just the way it is.

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