[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF MERDOLPH WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2019

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of World War 
II veteran, teacher, professional football player and rancher, Mr. 
Merdolph Walker.
  Merdolph was born on a cold winter's night on January 16, 1923, in 
Soda, Texas. He was born in a small wooden house as sleet and snow fell 
outside. The midwife attending to his mother had to walk a mile home 
that night holding kindling for a light. The oldest of seven children, 
Merdolph attended Soda Grammar School, walking two miles to and from 
school each day.
  While attending college at Sam Houston State University, Merdolph was 
drafted into the Army, serving from 1942 to 1946 as a combat engineer. 
Stationed in Guam during World War II, he received orders in his first 
week to search for land mines. Merdolph spent his next six weeks on 
open waters unloading cargo boats. There were no beds onboard, so he 
slept wherever he could find an empty space. In one combat mission, 
gunfire was exchanged. Later, for seven months, Merdolph and other 
combat engineers would spend twelve hours a day building the runway 
used by the aircraft which dropped the atomic bomb and ended World War 
II. By that time, Merdolph was in Okinawa, Japan, where upon hearing 
shots fired and shouting, he and a buddy ran outside to learn the war 
had finally ended.
  After returning to the states, Merdolph reenrolled at Sam Houston 
College. He received his master's degree in administration, majored in 
physical education and minored in industrial arts. In 1948, he began a 
short career playing professional football in Pittsburg before deciding 
he could make more money teaching and coaching. Merdolph taught and 
coached for thirty-four years before retiring.
  Madam Speaker, let us pause to honor this patriot who has faithfully, 
and humbly served our country, state and community.

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