[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 49 (Thursday, March 27, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING COLONEL OLA LEE MIZE

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize the passing of a great Alabamian, COL Ola Lee Mize, on March 
12, 2014. Colonel Mize was a native of Marshall County and an American 
hero. He embodied the ideals of service and courage that make our State 
proud.
  Colonel Mize was born on August 28, 1931, in Marshall County, and 
dropped out of high school after ninth grade to provide for his family. 
He was rejected for enlistment by the Army numerous times because he 
was blind in one eye and they claimed he was too small. Eventually he 
was accepted and joined the 82nd Airborne Division.
  He is perhaps best remembered by his defense of Outpost Harry when it 
was attacked during the Korean war. Colonel Mize bravely protected 
injured comrades and held opposition forces at bay, valiantly risking 
his life for others. For this intrepid gallantry, Colonel Mize earned a 
Medal of Honor, which remains on display in the Guntersville Museum.
  Colonel Mize went on to join the Special Forces and served 3\1/2\ 
tours in Vietnam with the Green Berets and then served as an Active-
Duty advisor to National Guard Special Forces units. Throughout the 
course of his military career, he was awarded the Silver Star, the 
Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and, of course, the 
Medal of Honor. Colonel Mize continued to be active in veterans' events 
and where he was known and honored by all. He retired in 1981 after 31 
years of service.
  Mary and I mourn his passing and send our condolences to his wife 
Betty, his daughter Teresa Peterson, and his six brothers and sisters. 
Alabama has lost a true hero and his legend will grow. I was honored to 
get to know him. He was a remarkable man whose courage on the 
battlefield extended to a determination to do the right thing in all 
aspects of life.

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