[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          TRIBUTE TO SECOND LIEUTENANT THEODORE REMINGTON WOO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishment of a hero from the Second Congressional District of West 
Virginia, Second Lieutenant Theodore Remington Woo; a highly honored 
West Virginian soldier who served in two wars for his country. He was 
the first soldier of Chinese descent to die in combat for the state of 
West Virginia. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Distinguished Service 
Cross Citation, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's badge, Korean 
Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service 
Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War 
Service Medal.
  Theodore Remington Woo's accomplishments of his life exceed his 
collection of medals. I am honored to have requested his name stand 
forever within the 20 64 53.27wb bridge on Interstate 64 in his home of 
Kanawha County, West Virginia. The bridge will be located only minutes 
away from where his high school once stood. Second Lieutenant Woo grew 
up in a patriotic family with several relatives being named after 
American presidents. He and his brother George, who went on to become a 
House Delegate, played along the Kanawha River and helped out in their 
family restaurant, The Canton.
  Second Lieutenant Woo was a student at West Virginia University 
before he enlisted in the Army. Woo then served with the 93rd Division 
of the Third Army in France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia where he 
received the Bronze Star for ``Meritorious Achievement in Ground 
Operations Against the Enemy in European Theater of Operations.''
  After World War II, he reenrolled in West Virginia University, but 
was needed during his senior year to train at Fort Knox as an infantry 
leader until 1951. Second Lieutenant Woo then served in the Korean War 
as Platoon Leader in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment in 
the 1st Calvary Division. A story of heroism echoed through our nation 
when he and his men destroyed an enemy bunker while dodging 
overwhelming mortar and small arms fire. Out distancing his leading 
elements, he was forced to retreat the hill to regroup. Despite being 
wounded in the arm, he continued to lead and retake the hill. Upon 
capturing the hill, Second Lieutenant Woo was tragically killed during 
counter attack while evacuating the wounded. Woo's courage and devotion 
will be forever recognized and serve as a symbol of our commitment to 
peace.
  West Virginians are truly honored to count Second Lieutenant Woo, a 
real American hero, among us.

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