[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 84 (Monday, June 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COL. J. SHELTON SCALES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 2, 2014

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and 
Representative Robert Hurt, I submit these remarks to commemorate the 
life of Col. J. Shelton Scales, who passed away on May 27, 2014 at the 
age of 97.
  Col. Scales was a native of Sandy Ridge, North Carolina, and 
graduated in 1940 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
He enlisted in the Marine Corps of October 1940, and was a member of 
the first Officer Candidates Class and 4th Reserve Class in the Marine 
Corps Schools in Quantico. Col. Scales remained there as a staff member 
until 1943, that year becoming commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 
23rd Marines.
  Reports indicate that Col. Scales did not see combat until February 
1944. He went on to make four beach landings during World War II, and 
later in life spoke most frequently about the February 19, 1945 landing 
at Iwo Jima.
  As a commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, Col. 
Scales led approximately 900 men into Iwo Jima, which may very well be 
the Marine Corps' most brutal battle of World War II. ``The Marines 
were on Iwo Jima,'' he later said. ``The Japanese were in it.'' For his 
exceptionally meritorious conduct, Col. Scales was awarded the Legion 
of Merit.
  In November 1945, Col. Scales was ordered to inactive duty as a major 
in the Marine Corps Reserve. In May 1951, he was promoted to lieutenant 
colonel, and in April 1958 Col. Scales was placed on the retired 
reserve list and was promoted to colonel.
  In addition to being remembered as a Marine commander at Iwo Jima, 
Col. Scales is also remembered by many in Southside Virginia as a 
successful businessman, a good friend, and an involved member of his 
community. He joined the Burch Hodges Stone, Inc. insurance company in 
May 1946, retiring more than 35 years later. He served the Virginia 
Association of Insurance Agents as its director for nine years, and was 
also president of the Virginia Financial Services Corp.
  Col. Scales was also a charter member and an elder of Martinsville's 
Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. He was involved with the Martinsville 
Jaycees, serving as president in 1949 and receiving the Distinguished 
Service award as Outstanding Young Man in 1951. Col. Scales 
participated in the Kiwanis Club of Martinsville, serving in 1957 as 
president, and in 1988-1989 served as lieutenant governor of the 
Capital District's Second Division of Kiwanis. He was a charter member 
and former secretary of the local SCORE chapter, was a charter member 
of the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Co., and was also a trustee of the 
Blue Ridge Regional Library from 1988-1993. And for several years, Col. 
Scales was a member of the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation 
Board, also teaching adjunct history courses, speaking with students 
and about his experience at Iwo Jima, and attending board meetings or 
other events. Col. Scales and his late wife, Mary Stacy Crockett 
Scales, had four children.
  Mr. Speaker, to echo the words of Col. Greg Eanes, U.S. Air Force 
(retired) of Penhook, Virginia, Col. Scales ``was a great patriot and a 
good man.'' Col. Scales and other Americans have fought with great 
valor on behalf of our Nation, seeking to preserve our freedom and make 
the world a safer place. Our Nation will be forever indebted to him and 
others for their service.
  We are honored to pay tribute to Col. Scales' many contributions to 
our Nation, our region, and our community. Col. Scales was a brave and 
courageous marine, an active member of his community, and a good 
friend. We grieve his loss. Southside Virginia has truly lost one of 
its finest.

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