[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 100 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E496-E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF SAM FELTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 28, 2020

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the extraordinary 
life of Samuel ``Sam'' Felton, Jr., one of Lorain County's most 
honored, visible, and tireless veterans, and a valued father figure for 
his entire community.
  Sam Felton was the only person from Lorain County to win the Navy 
Cross in Vietnam. He never rested on his laurels and built a legacy of 
service to Lorain, Ohio. He served three tours of duty during the 
Vietnam War with the U.S. Marine Corps from December 1968 to August 
1971. While serving in Vietnam, he received both the Navy Cross for 
heroism and

[[Page E497]]

the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.
  The Navy Cross is the second-highest decoration for valor in combat 
in the Marines and U.S. Navy; fewer than 500 were awarded during the 
Vietnam War. Sam earned it in June 1969 by valiantly rescuing three 
wounded Marines during an 11-day battle near An Hoa, Qung Nam Province.
  Fifty years later, in 2019, Sam was inducted into the Ohio Veterans 
Hall of Fame for his contributions to fellow veterans, the community, 
and our nation.
  Sam owned a karate academy and billiard parlors and worked at U.S. 
Steel, but his heart and soul was in assisting fellow veterans. In 45 
years of veteran advocacy, Sam supported fellow veterans as Commander 
and Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Lorain Chapter 20; 
Ohio Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Valor Home (a nonprofit 
organization providing services for homeless veterans); delegate to the 
Lorain Veterans Council; member, First Marine Division Association; 
member, National Association of Black Veterans; co-founder and three 
time president of the Lorain Veterans Council and past commander of 
AMVETS. Sam received the 2006 Vietnam Service Multiple Medals Award, 
the Ohio Secretary of State's 2007 Outstanding Veterans Award and was 
named the Lorain Ohio Veteran of the Year in 2010.
  In addition to dedicating himself to veterans, Sam advocated for the 
youth of Lorain County. He founded the Sam Felton Athletic Club and 
Youth Center, the Jackie Jones Felton Scholarship Fund for college-
bound students, co-founded the Samuel Felton Jr. Community Development 
Program, and worked with kids and veterans interested in musical 
outreach.
  In 2018, the Lorain City Council named a section of East 36th Street 
``Sgt. Samuel L. Felton Jr. Blvd.'' to honor Sam for his service to the 
City of Lorain and its people. For all these awards and acclamations 
Sam received, he will be remembered admirably by the thousands of 
people to whom he ministered by providing peer support to fellow 
veterans, getting them Veterans Affairs services, or even just driving 
veterans to their appointments. Truly, Sam was a national hero, and a 
hero of Lorain, Ohio.
  We offer Sam Felton's family and friends our prayers and deepest 
hopes that they find comfort in the wonderful memories and lasting 
deeds of his precious life. May they find joy in understanding what his 
legacy meant to each person he touched and his deep dedication to 
building the people of Lorain forward.

                          ____________________