[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAWRENCE F. SNOWDEN

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KLINE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2016

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American, a 
great Marine, and a champion of lasting friendship between the people 
of the United States and Japan. As our nation prepares to recognize the 
71st anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, it is timely to recognize a 
veteran of that iconic struggle in the Second World War.
  Lieutenant General Lawrence F. Snowden was born April 14, 1921 in 
Charlottesville, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia 
in 1942. Prior to graduating, General Snowden enlisted in the Marine 
Corps Reserve in February, 1942 and was called to active duty in May, 
1942. He was commissioned as a Marine Second Lieutenant on July 18, 
1942. Assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he served initially 
with the 23rd Marine Regiment, assigned to the 3rd and then the 4th 
Marine Divisions.
  From February, 1944 until March, 1945 he saw combat as a Company 
Commander with the 23rd Marines in the capture of Roi-Namur in the 
Marshall Islands, the capture of Saipan and Tinian, and the legendary 
assault on Iwo Jima which commenced on February 19, 1945. It was Fleet 
Admiral Chester Nimitz who, when speaking of the Battle of Iwo Jima, 
stated that, ``Uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' General Snowden is 
the senior surviving American veteran of that battle in which he was 
wounded twice. General Snowden retired from the Marine Corps after more 
than 37 years of active service in 1979, serving his last years as 
Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.
  His commitment to our nation and healing the wounds of the war did 
not end at his retirement. General Snowden became a regular traveler to 
Japan and to Iwo Jima leading a ``Reunion of Honor'' with his fellow 
veterans of the battle from both the United States and Japan. His 
mission is a solemn one of reconciliation. As the widow of the Japanese 
commanding general said to him, ``Once enemies, now friends.''
  General Snowden himself has stated, ``Those men didn't want to be 
here any more than we did. They were doing their duty. You don't hate 
anybody for that.'' As a further sign of his commitment to goodwill, 
General Snowden was here in this chamber in April, 2015 as a guest of 
the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe when he addressed the Congress. 
At his side was the grandson of the commander of the Japanese garrison 
on Iwo Jima while General Snowden's efforts were recognized by the 
Prime Minister.
  As a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps I am honored to recognize 
the historic anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, and I am pleased to 
call attention to this great American, Lieutenant General Lawrence F. 
Snowden. I applaud his contribution to the past, present, and future of 
our great nation as a Marine and a statesman.

                          ____________________