[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2157-E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SGT. ARNOLD TRUITT DIXON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. Arnold Truitt 
Dixon, a veteran of World War II, who is celebrating his 90th birthday 
on January 1, 2012.
  Sgt. Arnold Dixon, as he was known in the military, was known to 
those at home simply as Truitt. Truitt is the eldest son of Mattie and 
Henry Dixon, born on January 1, 1922, in Ada, Oklahoma. He migrated to 
California in 1940, and married Lena Owens on November 11, 1941. Their 
only daughter Janice was born on October 13, 1942. Unfortunately, Lena 
passed away in January 1985, after a long illness. Soon thereafter, 
Jacquie entered his life and they were married on March 9, 1985.
  Truitt and Lena were happily married with a two-year old daughter, 
when the call came from the United States Army to report for active 
duty. On September 16, 1944, Truitt reported to duty at Fort Ord, 
California. Basic training was very tough. He was being trained as a 
Combat Infantryman and took his training very seriously, which would 
pay off in the later years of his army career.
  With basic training and schooling completed, Truitt was aboard a 
troop ship with thousands of other soldiers travelling to parts 
unknown. After days of sailing, it was finally announced their 
destination was the Philippine Islands. After landing in the 
Philippines patrols were formed to find the remaining Japanese 
soldiers. His leadership earned him promotions quickly, from private, 
to private first class and to corporal in a very short time. His 
ability to lead and the fact that he was an expert marksman earned him 
the ``Combat Infantryman's Badge'' in late 1944, just after landing in 
the Philippines.
   In late 1944, General Douglas MacArthur, as promised, returned to 
the Philippines. Orders went out to all Combat Divisions in the Pacific 
command to select ten of their best soldiers for assignment to General 
Headquarters in Manila. The selection criteria for those men were 
exceptionally high. They must have a score of 110 or better on the Army 
General Classification Test, must have an excellent service record as a 
combat solider, be of good physique and over five feet ten inches tall, 
and finally, they must have a soldierly appearance. PFC. Arnold Truitt 
Dixon was selected as one of the 10 soldiers from the 105th Infantry 
Regiment, 40th Division.
  All the chosen men reported to Manila to form Honor Guard Company 
``E.'' To quote their commanding officer, ``These 200 soldiers chosen 
for Honor Guard had fought the Japanese on the beaches, in the jungles, 
and in the mountains. They represented all the fighting men of the 
Southwest Pacific Area. This unit was probably the sharpest most elite 
unit formed during World War IL''
  The Japanese surrender brought numerous Japanese officers from Tokyo 
to Manila to formalize the papers that needed to be signed for the 
official surrender. Truitt was on duty as those officials arrived and 
remembers the American officer in charge ordering the Japanese to 
remove their ceremonial swords before entering the building. As he 
stood by as part of the Honor Guard on duty that night, one of the 
officers was quoted as saying, ``This is the first time that many 
members of Company `E' had ever looked upon a Japanese, except over gun 
sights and, though many a trigger finger itched, the conference was 
carried out in perfect order.''
  It was not long after the surrender was formalized that Company ``E'' 
was alerted for transfer to Tokyo, Japan and was among the first United 
States soldiers to arrive in Japan. After staying two days in a silk 
factory, Company ``E'' moved on to Tokyo, where they were billeted in 
the Finance Building. Guarding

[[Page E2158]]

the Supreme Commanders offices, the United Nations headquarters and 
General MacArthur were their primary assignments.
  A few weeks after arrival in Tokyo, Corporal Dixon was promoted to 
Sergeant and assigned as leader of a guard patrol. Truitt's discharge 
from the Army makes this statement, ``Served in the Asiatic Pacific 
Theater for 15 months. Served in the Honor Guard Company, General 
Headquarters Tokyo, Japan. Assisted in the guarding and patrolling of 
General MacArthur's headquarters. Supervised 15 men of a patrol 
section. Kept section records and made recommendations to his 
commanding officer.''
  On August 15, 1945, the United States received Japan's notification 
of surrender. On September 2, 1945, General MacArthur signed the 
official documents ending World War II with Japan. With the war over, 
Truitt returned to the United States and reunited with his wife and 
young daughter. He received his Honorable Discharge on May 5, 1994.
  During his military career, he received the following decorations and 
citations: Combat Infantryman Badge, The Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic 
Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon (with one Bronze 
Star), Army Occupation Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Sgt. Arnold Truitt Dixon for 
his honorable service to our great country and honoring him as he 
celebrates his 90th birthday.

                          ____________________