[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING CHARLES PITMAN

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today pay tribute to the memory of 
retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Charles Pitman, a leader who served 
in our Nation's Armed Forces for nearly 40 years, earning the Silver 
Star, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a Purple Heart.
  Chuck Pitman was born in Chicago in 1935 and enlisted in the U.S. 
Naval Reserve in 1952 and the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953. A pilot by the 
age of 14, Chuck logged more than 12,000 flight hours during his 
career, flying jets and attack and reconnaissance helicopters. He flew 
three combat tours in Vietnam, where his aircraft were shot down seven 
times by enemy fire.
  On January 7, 1973, Chuck was commanding officer of the Marine Air 
Reserve Training Detachment in New Orleans when he saw a sniper firing 
at civilians from a hotel on the news. Without approval from his 
supervisors and at the risk of his career with the Marines, he and his 
crew flew a Marine helicopter loaded with police officers to the hotel 
and helped to end the carnage. Many of the police officers and 
survivors credited his actions with saving countless lives.
  Chuck served as special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff during the Iranian hostage crisis. By 1990, Chuck was a three-
star general and retired from the Marine Corps. His commands included 
the Marine Aviation Training Support Group in Pensacola, a role as 
assistant wing commander for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in 
California, and the command of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Japan.
  Chuck spent much of the rest of his life in Florida's Pensacola 
Beach. He volunteered his time with organizations including the Marine 
Corps League of Pensacola and participated in numerous veteran's events 
throughout the city, becoming a fixture in the community.
  I express my sincere condolences to his wife, two sons, and two 
daughters on the loss of an American hero and patriot. May God bless 
his family during this time of sorrow.

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