[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 99 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COL. PETE HILGARTNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2015

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember a truly selfless 
resident of Great Falls, Virginia, Col. Pete Hilgartner.
  Not long after graduating high school Col. Hilgartner began his 
service to our nation by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He 
received a fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and upon 
graduation in 1951 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine 
Corps.
  During the Korean War, he served as an artillery forward observer and 
received the Bronze Star with Combat ``V'' for meritorious conduct 
against the enemy in these actions.
  In Vietnam, he commanded the 1st Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, 
the most decorated combat battalion in the U.S. Marine Corp. His tour 
as Battalion Commander of a frontline Marine Infantry Battalion was one 
of the longest of any during the war and his battalion fought in 
numerous actions, including every major action that occurred in the 1st 
Marine Division sector from November 1966 to September 1967. His six 
and a half foot stature earned him the name ``Highpockets'' by his 
Marines, who loved him for his competency and his concern for his men's 
welfare. Under his command, his unit received two Presidential Unit 
Citations, for Operations Union, Union II, and Swift. Col. Hilgartner 
himself was awarded twice the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, 
the Legion of Merit, and the Silver Star medal, for gallantry in combat 
during Operation Swift.
  Upon completion of his first tour, Col. Hilgartner completed a 
Master's degree only to return for an additional tour as a staff 
officer in Saigon eventually achieving the rank of Colonel by the time 
of his retirement from active duty in 1972. From there he would 
transition into a successful career in the brokerage investment 
business, author of two books and serve as an active member of the 
community; holding multiple roles as a Virginia Hunter Education 
Instructor, President of both the McLean Rotary Club and Northern 
Virginia Brittany Club, and in the aftermath of September 11th led the 
Great Falls Memorial Committee helping create the Great Falls Memorial 
in the remembrance of those lost in the September 11th attacks.
  Col. Hilgartner is survived by his wife, Sara Hilgartner, his five 
children by his first wife, Frances Haynes Hilgartner: Linda Bassett, 
Diana Boyd, Dale Cirillo, David Hilgartner, and Paul Hilgartner, 10 
grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his stepson Greg Fernlund and 
his step-grandchildren. ``Uncle Pete'' was also a loving uncle and 
grandfather to his deceased brother Fielding's 5 children and 11 
grandchildren.
  Col. Hilgartner will always be remembered for his heroic service to 
his nation and will truly be missed by all of the many lives that he 
touched and enriched.

                          ____________________