[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING ARMY COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR EDWARD JAMES O'NEAL

  (Mr. HUDSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Army 
Command Sergeant Major Edward James O'Neal and to commemorate his 
service to our great Nation. O'Neal was a great friend of mine and a 
champion of his fellow veterans in Richmond County and all of North 
Carolina.
  He began his distinguished military career at a young age, enlisting 
in the Army in 1956 at the age of 17. After basic training, O'Neal 
quickly rose up the ranks, training and serving from Fort Bragg, North 
Carolina, to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. After 20 years of dedicated 
service, including four tours in Vietnam and being awarded three Purple 
Hearts, O'Neal retired in November of 1976.
  O'Neal's service to our country did not end once he retired. He 
became a fierce advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans, assisting 
local veterans with the help of his beloved wife, Mary.
  Mr. Speaker, O'Neal was one of the greatest American soldiers and 
patriots, and he was also a loving husband, a faithful friend to many, 
including me. We are forever indebted to him and other American 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who dedicate their lives to 
defend our freedom, secure our homeland, and protect our democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of United States Army 
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Edward James O'Neal and commemorate his 
valiant service to our great nation. CSM O'Neal was a great friend of 
mine and a champion for his fellow veterans in Richmond County and all 
of North Carolina.
  He began his distinguished military career at a young age, enlisting 
in the United States Army in 1956 at the age of seventeen. After basic 
training, CSM O'Neal quickly rose up the ranks, training and serving 
from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. His 
career is legendary--making First Sergeant in 10 years and CSM in 14.
  After 20 years of dedicated service, including four tours in Vietnam 
and being awarded three Purple Hearts, CSM O'Neal retired in November 
of 1976. I applaud CSM O'Neal's bravery and service, and I thank him 
for his heroic and selfless actions during his active military career.
  But CSM O'Neal's service to our country did not end once he retired. 
He became a fierce advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans, assisting 
local veterans with the help of his beloved wife, Mary. Their 
dedication and service represent the best our nation has to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, CSM O'Neal was one of our greatest American soldiers and 
patriots, and he was also a loving husband and a faithful friend to 
many including me. North Carolina boasts some of the finest warfighters 
the United States has ever seen. The Eighth District is no stranger to 
heroes like CSM O'Neal, and he will forever be remembered for his 
service and his faithful support of his fellow veterans.
  We are forever indebted to him and other American soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and Marines who dedicate their lives to defend our freedom, 
secure our homeland, and protect our democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Army Command Sergeant 
Major (CSM) Edward James O'Neal and commemorate his service to our 
great nation. O'Neal was a great friend of mine and a champion for his 
fellow veterans in Richmond County and all of North Carolina.
  He began his distinguished military career at a young age, enlisting 
in the Army in 1956 at the age of seventeen. After basic training, 
O'Neal quickly rose up the ranks, training and serving from Fort Bragg, 
North Carolina to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
  After 20 years of dedicated service, including four tours in Vietnam 
and being awarded three Purple Hearts, O'Neal retired in November of 
1976.
  But O'Neal's service to our country did not end once he retired. He 
became a fierce advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans, assisting 
local veterans with the help of his beloved wife, Mary.
  Mr. Speaker, O'Neal was one of our greatest American soldiers and 
patriots, and he was also a loving husband and a faithful friend to 
many including me.
  We are forever indebted to him and other American soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and Marines who dedicate their lives to defend our freedom, 
secure our homeland, and protect our democracy.

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