[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MICHAEL D. ``MIKE'' WALDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Chowchilla Post 9896 Life Member Michael D. ``Mike'' Walden who 
served his country honorably from a very young age.
  Mike was born in Los Angeles in 1946; he attended local area schools 
before enlisting in the United States Army in June of 1963, at the age 
of seventeen. He completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California, 
and later completed specialized training in armor warfare in Fort Knox, 
Kentucky. Mike was next sent to Korea for twelve months for duty with 
the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Calvary, 7th Division at Camp Hansen 
located in the demilitarized zone. The unit provided security and 
conducted patrols while observing North Korean communist forces across 
the DMZ. Soon after, Mike returned to the States for duty with the 1st 
Battalion, 2nd Infantry, and 5th Division. After extensive training, 
the division was transitioned into duty with the First Infantry 
Division, known as the ``Big Red One''. The ``Big Red One'' remains one 
of the most storied divisions of the U.S. Army, having led the way for 
American troops in WWI, and during WWII, was the first Army Division to 
fight the Germans on North Africa, Sicily, the beaches of Normandy, and 
the Battle of the Bulge. During the summer of 1965, his division was 
the first Army division called to fight in Vietnam. Throughout 1965, 
his unit was involved in significant and major combat engagements.
  Mike completed a twelve month tour in Vietnam; he returned to the 
United States in 1966 and was discharged five days after his twentieth 
birthday. After serving three years and two tours in Korea and Vietnam, 
he was still not old enough to legally purchase a beer. For his 
service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat 
Infantryman's Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Korea Defense 
Medal, among others.
  After his retirement from the U.S. Army, Mike graduated from West 
Valley College and St. Mary's College and worked as a project support 
engineer. He and his wife, Gayla Darlene, make their home in Chowchilla 
with their two children. Mike is a Life Member of the Chowchilla VFW 
Post 9896 and an active member of his church.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Michael D. Walden for his 
honorable service to our great country, and wishing him the best of 
luck and health in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________