[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF MR. WILLIAM H. WILLOUGHBY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. William H. 
Willoughby, Jr. who is being recognized by the Joint Veterans' 
Commission of Cuyahoga County as the 2011 Outstanding Veteran of the 
Year.
  Born a true ``military brat,'' Mr. Willoughby grew up around the 
world in places such as California, Japan and Washington, DC. He 
enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended the U.S. Military Academy 
Preparatory School before graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point. He furthered his training at Infantry, Airborne, Ranger and 
Special Forces Qualifications Schools. Mr. Willoughby served his 
country valiantly during two tours in Vietnam during 1965-1966 and 
again in 1968. He was an A Team Leader with the 5th Special Forces 
Group on his first tour and a Battalion Operations Officer (S3) with 
the 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry 1st Infantry Division during the second, 
during which he was wounded in combat. Mr. Willoughby was awarded with 
the Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army 
Commendation, Air Medal and Combat Infantryman's Badge for his brave 
service to his country. Due to medical reasons, he retired from the 
Army in 1971.
  While recovering from his injury, Mr. Willoughby earned a Masters 
Degree in Business Administration from Tulane University. He used his 
education to obtain work in the manufacturing industry. Working his way 
up in the field, Mr. Willoughby became the president of Pettibone Ohio 
Corporation. In 1984, with only five employees, he established 
Cleveland Track Material, Inc. (CTM). CTM quickly became a thriving 
company and by 2007 employed 260 people. It was named one of the ``100 
Best Places to Work in North East Ohio'' for three consecutive years. 
It has received the Ohio Governor's Workforce Excellence Award, Blue 
Chip Enterprise Award and it was named the 1990 Ernest & Young 
Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.
  In addition to his military service and business success, Mr. 
Willoughby has been an outspoken supporter of the U.S. Military Academy 
and in 1979 was appointed the West Point Admissions Coordinator for 
Northeast Ohio. In 2010, he was named the coordinator for the entire 
state. Over the years William has assisted more than 650 young people 
from the State of Ohio to gain admission to the prestigious military 
academy.
  Since 1997, he has served as the Master of Ceremonies for my 10th 
Congressional District's annual Service Academy Day and has provided 
invaluable assistance with the nomination process to my congressional 
staff. He has set the standard for a Service Academy representative, 
and is the recognized leader among West Point representatives. Everyone 
knows Bill! Always positive and professional, he leads by example, with 
a life history to illustrate the success of following the path of Duty, 
Honor and Country.
  Mr. Willoughby has also brought four new Junior Reserve Officer 
Training Corps programs to Cleveland City Schools. Mr. Willoughby has 
been recognized as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army 
Emeritus in 2005, received the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service 
Medal and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2008.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. 
William Willoughby, Jr., Cuyahoga County's 2011 Outstanding Veteran of 
the Year.

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