[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF CARL D. ``CHUBBY'' PROFFITT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBERT HURT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2015

  Mr. HURT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to 
commemorate the life of Carl D. ``Chubby'' Proffitt, Jr. of 
Charlottesville, Virginia, who passed away June 30, 2015 at age 96.
  Mr. Proffitt began serving in the U.S. Army National Guard during the 
Great Depression to support his family. He was called to duty during 
Pearl Harbor and as a member of the Army's 29th Infantry Division, led 
his platoon on D-Day. Mr. Proffitt successfully guided thirty men in 
his landing craft safely on the beach through rounds of machine gun and 
artillery fire.
  For his valor and service, he received three Purple Hearts, a 
Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and 
numerous other awards. In 2013, I was honored to see Mr. Proffitt 
receive the French Legion of Honor for his service during World War II 
and participate in a ceremony honoring Mr. Proffitt in Charlottesville 
at the American Legion. He fondly remembered those he served with who 
did not return home and credited God for his safe return.
  Mr. Proffitt was a tremendous family man--a husband of 64 years to 
wife Ollie, a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. As a witness 
to such pivotal moments in our nation's history, he was honored to 
speak with student groups and those researching World War II. He was 
selected to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2008 Naturalization 
Ceremony at Monticello which then-President George W. Bush attended. He 
was actively engaged with local recreational endeavors, particularly 
sports, leading the Charlottesville City Council to honor him in 2010 
by dedicating fields at the McIntire Softball Complex in his name. Mr. 
Proffitt was remembered by Phil Grimm, the commander of American Legion 
Post 74, of which Proffitt was a lifetime member, as a humble, spirited 
leader: ``He was so down-to-earth that you never realized you were in 
the presence of someone who had accomplished so much.''
  We remain forever grateful for Mr. Proffitt's bravery and 
sacrifices--may he rest in peace. On the day Carl D. ``Chubby'' 
Proffitt, Jr. is laid to rest, I ask that the members of this House of 
Representatives join me, the Proffitt family, and the community of 
Charlottesville, Virginia in honoring the memory of a great American 
hero.