[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S3290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ERIC ENGLAND

 MR. ISAKSON. Mr. President, it is an honor today to pay my 
final respects to Eric Roy England, a great Georgian and American, who 
passed away on April 7, 2018, after a lifetime of service to our State 
and Nation.
  Eric England was born on April 15, 1933, in Blairsville, GA, in Union 
County, the son of the late Augustus and Mary Nix England. A few short 
years later, in 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his 
extraordinary career was launched.
  MSgt Eric England served as a scout sniper for the U.S. Marine Corps 
3rd Marine Division while serving in the Vietnam war. He is credited 
with 98 confirmed kills on record, likely saving untold numbers of 
American lives. By age 19, he was a nationals rifle-shooting champion, 
and he set a record as a long-range champion at Fort Benning in 1968. 
Master Sergeant England served as a member and coach of the U.S. Marine 
Corps Rifle Team for 24 years, setting records both nationally and 
internationally.
  After his military retirement and for the next 14 years, Master 
Sergeant England coached the Blairsville 4-H program's BB gun team, 
which was comprised of boys and girls in grades four through eight. 
These young Georgians benefited from his exemplary leadership and 
dedicated training and by winning competitions at the State and 
national level.
  During his life, his talents were recognize and celebrated. They even 
made him the subject of a book, ``Phantom of Phu Bai,'' written by Dr. 
J. B. Turner, and his military rifle is displayed in the National Rifle 
Association museum. The courthouse in Union County, GA, features a 
bronze sculpture in England's likeness that was erected in 2006.
  On November 4, 2017, Master Sergeant England was one of 17 veterans 
inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame for his 
outstanding achievement while serving his country. Other notable Hall 
of Fame inductees are Master Sergeant England's cousin, our former U.S. 
Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, and former U.S. Senator Sam 
Nunn.
  MSgt Eric England was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on June 
4, 2018, with full military honors.
  I send my condolences to his wife, Glenda Sue Berrong England, his 
stepson, Howard Beck, Jr., his sister, Edna Ruth Rich, and to his 
niece, nephew, grandchildren, and other friends and love ones.
  I am very proud to share a bit of MSgt Eric England's story for the 
Record, to honor this great patriot and help more Georgians and 
Americans learn of his great legacy for our country.

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