[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF REVEREND CLINTON RIDDLE

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2020

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend 
Clinton Elmer Riddle of Sweetwater, Tennessee and recognize his 
lifetime of service in his community and to our nation. Reverend Riddle 
passed on December 3, 2019.
  Born on February 24, 1921 in Sweetwater, Reverend Riddle is a 
hometown hero. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in May of 1941. 
At the age of 21, Clinton Riddle joined the U.S. Army and during World 
War II he served in Company B--325th Glider Infantry of the 82nd 
Airborne Division. During his more than 30 months of service in Europe 
and Africa during the war, Reverend Riddle served with honor and 
distinction. On June 6, 1944 he survived a crash landing of his 
``canvass coffin'' troop-carrying glider behind enemy lines in Normandy 
during the D-Day invasion and fought with his unit in the Battle of the 
Bulge. In all, his unit sustained over 400 days under fire during his 
time with the B 325th.
  Reverend Riddle wedded Blanch Bernice Montooth in 1949 and they would 
remain married for more than 60 years until her passing in 2010, having 
reared three children. He pastored four churches including the New 
Bethany Baptist Church, Murray's Baptist Church, Cedar Valley Baptist 
Church, and Union McMinn Baptist Church. He also served as the interim 
pastor for several other area churches.
  Beyond his service in the ministry, Reverend Riddle was an active 
member of his beloved community. He was a member of Sweetwater Valley 
Odd Fellows Lodge 280, Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 
5156, American Legion Post 106, and the Sons of Union Veterans of the 
Civil War. Reverend Riddle often shared his experiences and memories 
speaking with classrooms of children in local schools.
  Before his passing the City of Sweetwater honored Reverend Riddle, 
proclaiming February 24, 2019 as Clinton Riddle Day.

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