[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SPECIALIST RICHARD ALLEN CABLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise to 
remember United States Army Specialist Richard ``Dickie'' Allen Cable 
for his bravery and willingness to fight for his country. Specialist 
Cable was killed in action while defending his comrades during 
Operation Billings in Vietnam on June 14, 1967. It is my honor to 
sponsor H.R. 4887, a bill that would name the Post Office in Shelby, 
Indiana, after Specialist Cable, a hero who gave up his life in service 
of the nation he loved.
  A resident of Shelby, Dickie graduated from Lowell High School in 
1965 and is remembered by friends as an exceptional member of the 
community. Dickie was an outstanding athlete who loved softball, 
basketball, and track and field. His friends recall that Dickie was 
always captain and everyone always wanted to be on his team. Dickie was 
adopted and an only child. Following the death of his father Fred, when 
Dickie was only nine, he took on a variety of jobs to help support his 
mother, Grace, including working as a pin setter at the local bowling 
alley. After high school, Dickie got a job at Inland Steel in East 
Chicago, Indiana.
  In 1966, Dickie was drafted into the United States Army and served as 
a rifleman assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment 
of the 1st Infantry Division, where he demonstrated bravery and 
courage. Specialist Cable and his team were on a mission when he 
spotted several Viet Cong in the jungle. He shouted a warning to his 
comrades and fired on the Viet Cong. Ignoring the heavy return fire, he 
engaged the enemy until his comrades reached cover. As he moved to 
rejoin his team, he spotted an enemy machine-gun team setting up. 
Realizing his fellow soldiers would be subject to vicious crossfire, 
Specialist Cable began a running assault toward the enemy position. 
Although he was wounded several times, he overran the position and 
killed the insurgents before he fell. He was only 20 years old. For his 
courage and sacrifice, Dickie was posthumously honored by the military 
with the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. In addition, Dickie was 
awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal 
with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
Medal with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 
Device, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Sharpshooter Badge with 
Rifle Bar.
  Dickie was survived by his mother, Grace, and a close-knit community 
of neighbors and friends in Shelby, who continue to honor his memory 
today. I would like to thank Mr. Richard Boetler, who first approached 
my office about dedicating the Shelby Post Office to Dickie's memory 
and organized a petition to advocate for this legislation with over 700 
signatures from former and current Shelby residents. Additionally, I 
would like to extend my appreciation to the entire Indiana delegation 
for joining me in this effort. Finally, I would like to thank the local 
elected officials in Shelby for their advocacy, including Indiana State 
Senator Rick Niemeyer, Indiana State Representative Michael Aylesworth, 
Cedar Creek Township Trustee Alice Dahl, Lake County Councilman Eldon 
Strong, and Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring a fallen hero, United States Army 
Specialist Richard Allen Cable. Specialist Cable sacrificed his life in 
service to his country, and his death was a great loss to our Nation. 
Nearly 50 years after his passing, Specialist Cable remains a hero in 
the eyes of his loved ones and his Nation. Let us take this opportunity 
to honor the sacrifice he made to preserve the ideals of freedom and 
democracy.

                          ____________________