[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING COLONEL ROGER DONLON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN J. FASO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2018

  Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel 
Roger Donlon for his exemplary service to our nation. A native of 
Saugerties, New York, Mr. Donlon bravely served our country in the U.S. 
Army for thirty years. Though his humility, fierce loyalty, and 
steadfast patriotism, Mr. Donlon has redefined bravery and showed us 
that our freedoms have not come without many sacrifices.
  In May 1964, Mr. Donlon was sent to Vietnam as Captain of the U.S. 
Army 7th Special Forces Team A-726 assigned to defend Camp Nam Dong. In 
the early hours of July 6, 1964, a Viet Cong battalion unleashed a 
surprise attack on Camp N am Dong. Throughout the five-hour battle, Mr. 
Donlon remained focused and determined, swiftly repositioning himself 
around the camp, directing counterfire, giving his men encouragement, 
and even providing care to the wounded despite his own injuries. His 
valiant efforts in the face of Viet Cong aggression made Mr. Donlon the 
first person to receive the Medal of Honor, the military's highest 
decoration, in the Vietnam War.
  Although Mr. Donlon's formal service in the U.S. Army has ended, his 
service to our country continues today. Through his active involvement 
with the Medal of Honor Foundation's Medal of Honor Character 
Development Program, the Westmoreland Scholar Foundation, as well as 
regularly talking to students and servicemen and women, Mr. Donlon is 
an important role model for our communities, our military, and the next 
generation of soldiers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Colonel 
Roger Donlon on his lifetime of hard work and dedicated service to the 
United States.

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