[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF VIRGIL RYALS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Virgil 
Ryals. Mr. Ryals is a Korean War veteran who served the United States 
of America honorably.
  Virgil was born in Winters, California, and his family later 
relocated to Chowchilla.
  After graduating from Chowchilla High, he joined the U.S. Army in 
Januaty 1951. Completing his basic training at Fort Ord, Virgil was 
assigned to a unit with the 6th Army. In the summer of 1951, he 
sojourned with his Army companions to Pusan, South Korea where he 
joined the 1st Cavalry Division. Shortly afterward he was assigned to 
Company C of the 7th Cavalry, the infamous ``Garry Owen'' regiment once 
led by George Armstrong Custer.
  Virgil was assigned to a radio section of Headquarters Company where 
he received and transmitted vitally important intelligence to embattled 
Army units. Virgil's hard work and quick learning was quickly noticed 
by his superiors, and Virgil was soon promoted to head the section. In 
October 1951, Virgil's communicators kept all units in contact when a 
Chinese counterattack threatened to overrun the regiment.
  Virgil served on occupation duty in Japan until December 1952, when 
he returned home on leave to visit his family. At the end of his leave, 
Virgil and his family were involved in a tragic car accident which 
claimed the life of both his parents. Virgil, suffering from two broken 
legs, a broken elbow and numerous other injuries, was not expected to 
live. But, for the next eleven months, Virgil underwent several 
procedures at Letterman's Hospital where he fought to recover.
  In November 1953, Corporal Virgil Ryals was honorably discharged from 
the United States Army. For his service, he was awarded the National 
Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation 
Medal (Japan), the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the 
United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
  Virgil worked as a dairyman and farmer until 1959 when he accepted a 
position at the Chowchilla Post Office, where he worked for thirty-one 
years. Mention the name of Virgil Ryals to virtually anyone in 
Chowchilla and they will know the congenial, chatty, helpful postal 
worker who helped generations of Chowchillans.
  His wife, Eva, passed away in 1999. They raised two beautiful 
children and have one grandchild. Virgil is a Life Member of Chowchilla 
VFW Post 9896, American Legion Post 148, and a member of St. Columba 
Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
service of Virgil Ryals for his dedication to his family and his 
country.

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