[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CARLOS BEDOLLA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Carlos Bedolla upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime 
Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. 
Bedolla was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, 
California.
  Mr. Carlos Bedolla was born in Gilroy, California, and graduated from 
Gilroy High School. In 1965, shortly after graduation, Mr. Bedolla was 
enlisted into the United States Army. He completed basic training at 
Fort Hood, Texas, and was sent to Virginia for advanced training. Mr. 
Bedolla was designated as an infantryman and was assigned to the 11th 
Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, Maryland. For several months 
the regiment took part in advanced unit training and in 1966 he boarded 
a ship in Oakland, California, for a 23-day voyage to Southeast Asia.
  Upon arriving in Vietnam, Mr. Bedolla was assigned to the 2nd 
Squadron of the 11th Cavalry Regiment, the ``Blackhorse Regiment.'' The 
regiment's mission was to conduct ``search and destroy'' operations on 
all Viet Cong and North Vietnam regular forces in their area of 
operation. They provided reconnaissance and security for the 101st and 
173rd Airborne and supported several other units. Mr. Bedolla 
participated in two major operations: Iron Triangle and Junction City. 
Both operations focused on eliminating enemy strongholds and jungle 
clearing. It was during these operations that tunnel complexes were 
found containing tons of rice and supplies for enemy troops.
  Mr. Bedolla served as an infantry squad leader and an armored 
personnel carrier track commander during operations. He directly 
provided reconnaissance for his unit and employed tactics to ensure the 
safety of his men.
  Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Sergeant Bedolla returned to the 
United States and was honorably discharged in April of 1967. For his 
service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam 
Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Republic of 
Vietnam Unit Gallantry Cross with frame and palm, the Combat 
Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Sharpshooter Badge.
  After his discharge, Mr. Bedolla returned to Gilroy, where he met and 
married his wife, Jessica. He was employed in the retail grocery 
industry as a store director for 34 years. Mr. and Mrs. Bedolla have 2 
sons, 1 daughter, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Mr. Bedolla 
is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, the 
St. Columba Catholic Church and the Young Men's Institute.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Carlos 
Bedolla upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Mr. Bedolla many years of continued success.

                          ____________________