[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 168 (Monday, November 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1622-E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF PFC. MARK JOSEPH ALLSTOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pfc. 
Mark Joseph Allstott, of French Lick, Indiana.
  I ask you all to join me in honoring the life of a fellow Hoosier 
veteran.
  Allstott enlisted in the United States Army two short months after 
high school graduation. As a United States Infantryman, Allstott 
personified bravery and dignity while serving with his fellow 
Wolfhounds in the 27th Infantry Regiment.
  Before deploying to South Vietnam, Allstott told his sister of 
foreboding premonitions that indicated he would not return home from 
the war. Rather than respond with fear, Allstott gave away all of his 
earthly possessions and went to serve his country.
  Fellow Wolfhounds developed a great level of respect for Allstott's 
fearlessness. In correspondences to his family, soldiers spoke of 
Allstott's bravery in the face of peril, his easygoing manner, and his 
warmness to fellow comrades.
  Allstott's true character is best summarized by one Wolfhound 
brethren who wrote, ``. . . his mind was always on another buddy and 
the job to be done for the honor of his country instead of his own 
being. Not only did your son not turn his back on any of us in any 
firefight. All of us knew we could depend on him''
  Allstott was a true American hero and it is a privilege to stand here 
today in celebration of his noble life, which ended on the battlefield 
in South Vietnam in February of 1968.
  On that day in February, as the Wolfhounds maneuvered to capture an 
enemy position, it

[[Page E1623]]

is said Allstott's final actions saved a member of his unit from 
capture. As a United States soldier, there is no greater honor than 
laying down one's life to save a brother-in-arms.
  While more than forty years have passed since Allstott gave his last 
measure of devotion, the cause he fought for lives on in the ripples 
throughout history his heroic efforts will have caused.
  It is a privilege to honor Pfc. Mark Allstott's bold and courageous 
life. Such distinguished service to the United States of America 
continues to serve as an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________