[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E748-E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING DICK WEAVER FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2013

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Memorial Day 2013, I hope that 
everyone spends some time this holiday to honor the men and women who 
made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our nation's freedoms. We also 
need to thank those who serve today in harm's way for their dedication 
to the ideals and principles that made this country great.
  I would like to take this opportunity to tell the story of one such 
man who performed heroic feats on the battlefield, and thankfully, is 
still with us today so that we may honor him for his service. That man 
is named C.W. (Dick) Weaver, Jr., and he lives in the Sixth District of 
North Carolina.
  Dick Weaver is a man who was destined to receive honors for his 
leadership ability in many aspects of his life. He graduated in 1951 
from Rankin High School in Guilford County, North Carolina, where he 
was Valedictorian and President of the Senior Class. As an athlete at 
Rankin, he was All Conference for two years in baseball and football. 
He then attended Lees McRae Junior College until he became a United 
States Marine. Dick was shipped overseas to join the Korean Conflict.
  On March 28, 1953, Sergeant Weaver was subject to devastating enemy 
artillery fire. The unit received word that one of the men had been 
wounded and was lying helpless and unprotected. Under heavy artillery 
fire, Sergeant Weaver rushed to the stricken man and carried him to 
cover. He was painfully injured in his heroic act of courage. Sergeant 
Weaver, by his outstanding leadership, indomitable

[[Page E749]]

courage, and selfless efforts on behalf of another, served to inspire 
all who observed him and upheld the highest tradition of the United 
States Naval Services. For his action, he was awarded the Silver Star 
and Purple Heart by the President of the United States.
  Sergeant Weaver spent 11 months in a military hospital for his 
wounds. Joseph J. McCaffrey, in a letter to Sergeant Weaver's mother 
wrote, ``that his action inspired his men to get the wounded men out of 
danger.'' McCaffrey added, ``that he literally walked into an artillery 
barrage and certain death.''
  Dick Weaver returned to Lees McRae and was graduated in 1957. He was 
student body president, Phi Beta Kappa, Best All-Around Student, Most 
Valuable Player in baseball, and the recipient of a prestigious 
Morehead Scholarship to the University of North Carolina, from where he 
was graduated in 1959.
  After serving in personnel positions at Cone Mills, General Dynamics, 
and Duke University, Dick founded and served as president of Dick 
Weaver Associates from 1975 to 1995, and his company was rated by the 
College and University Personnel Association as one of the top three in 
the nation.
  Dick Weaver has been a friend of mine for decades. As youngsters, we 
competed against each other on the ball fields of Piedmont North 
Carolina. In all the years that I have known Dick, I never really knew 
of the heroism he displayed in Korea. Dick is a humble and self-
effacing gentleman who doesn't seek out the glory. I wanted to take 
this moment, as we celebrate Memorial Day 2013, to honor Dick Weaver 
and the countless others just like him who serve our country with 
dignity and distinction.

                          ____________________