[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF ROBERT BUFORD ACREE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of 
Robert Buford Acree, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 85. Bob was 
a World War II veteran who served the United States of America 
honorably in Korea and began a family legacy within the United States 
Air Force.
  Bob was born in Arkansas in 1924. He moved to Chowchilla with his 
family in 1937 and began to work in farming with his father when he was 
only 12 years old. He attended local schools and graduated from 
Chowchilla High School in 1943.
  In 1945, thinking he was safe from the draft, Bob married Betty and 
continued working in farming. A year later, he was inducted into the 
Army. After completing basic training, Bob was assigned to the Army Air 
Corps and was sent to Aviation Engineering School in Spokane, 
Washington, for advanced training.
  Upon completion of his training, Bob and roughly one hundred Army Air 
Corps replacement troops flew to Pusan, Korea. Bob then joined the 40th 
Aviation Engineer Squadron at Kempo Air Field, north of Seoul. Bob 
subsequently served in the squadron motor pool.
  Bob returned to the United States in March 1947 and was discharged at 
Camp Beale. However, Bob decided to continue serving his country and 
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1948. He served for four 
years and was honorably discharged as an Airman Second Class in 1952. 
For his service, Bob was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the 
Army of Occupation Medal.
  After his separation from the service, Bob returned to Chowchilla and 
to farming alongside his father. In 1949, Bob bought his own farm in 
the Dairyland area and farmed until 1961. Bob worked for the City of 
Chowchilla before beginning a long career with the Chowchilla Union 
High School District where he served with distinction as Director of 
Transportation from 1969 until his retirement in 1987.
  Bob and Betty had two children, seven grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren. Bob passed along his dedication to service to his son 
who retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant and to two of his 
grandchildren who are currently on active duty in the United States Air 
Force.
  In addition to being a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and 
servicemember, Bob was also an active member of his community in 
Chowchilla. He was a member of the Chowchilla Mason Lodge, Chowchilla 
Odd Fellow Lodge, Mariposa Odd Fellow Lodge, and Order of the Eastern 
Star. He was also a long-time member of the First Baptist Church and 
Life Member of Chowchilla VFW Post 9896 and American Legion Post 148.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
life of Robert Buford Acree for his service and devotion to his family, 
community, and nation.

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