[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E272-E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL EARL C. ACUFF USA (RET.) THE FORMER 
            COMMANDANT OF THE VIRGINIA TECH CORPS OF CADETS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2013

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brigadier General 
Earl C. Acuff, USA (Ret.), the Commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of 
Cadets from 1973 to 1980, who passed away on February 13, 2013. A 
native of Iowa, Earl Acuff learned to box as a young boy and became a 
Golden Gloves champion while in high school; he earned a full football 
scholarship to the University of Idaho, where he met his wife, Mary-
Low, and enlisted in ROTC. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Earl Acuff 
was shipped to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where he served as the 
executive officer to the 1st Intelligence Combat Platoon. He provided 
strong leadership as the unique unit scouted Japanese forces in the 
Aleutian Islands without resupply or personal contact with the outside 
world; after the war, the unit mapped the entire western coastline of 
Alaska.
   Earl Acuff briefly left the military, working as a bush pilot, a big 
game guide, and a high school teacher in Anchorage before he was asked 
to rejoin the United States Army to teach Arctic survival skills. 
General Acuff went on to serve as commander of the 1st Battalion, 17th 
Infantry, 7th Infantry Division, and led the fight to defend Hills 255 
and 266 during the Korean War. His extraordinary valor resulted in his 
being awarded a Purple Heart, second Combat Infantryman Badge, a Silver 
Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and a Bronze Star with four Oak Leaf 
Clusters and V for Valor. He was a Master Parachutist who provided 
important insight as the United States Army revaluated its Ranger 
training program; in 1965 he became the oldest man to successfully 
graduate as a United States Army Ranger at the age of 47.
   Earl Acuff then earned a master's degree from George Washington 
University and worked for the United States Department of State before 
rejoining the battlefield as commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry 
Division Republic of Vietnam, where he earned his third Combat 
Infantryman Badge. In 1969 Earl Acuff became the Deputy Post Commander 
at the U.S. Army Infantry School.
   One year later, he joined the faculty at Virginia Tech as a military 
science instructor. In 1974 Earl Acuff was promoted to Brigadier 
General and became the commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, 
where he continued the proud tradition of training young men and women 
to become the nation's military leaders.

[[Page E273]]

   Earl Acuff also began a competitive career in racquetball, earning 
20 gold medals at major national and international tournaments and 
induction into several halls of fame.
   Brigadier General Acuff was predeceased by his wife, Mary-Low, and 
son, William, and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his 
children, Thomas, Dan, Ardis, Rodney, Janice, Teresa, and Dawn, and 
their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and 
admirers.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Brigadier 
General Acuff and his dedicated service to the nation.

                          ____________________