[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



            Remembering Private First Class Delbert Littrell

  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to recognize 
the distinguished service of one of Medford, Oregon's own and to ask my 
Senate colleagues to join me in support of the U.S. Marine Corps PFC 
Delbert Littrell's honorary promotion to corporal.
  It is an honorary promotion because it was 75 years ago, in World War 
II, that Mr. Littrell served in the 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine 
Division.
  His service was marked by a combat history of notable intensity and 
duration. He fought in five pivotal battles that together changed the 
tide of the war in the Pacific Theater: the Gilbert and Marshall 
Islands campaign, between November 1943 and February 1944; the Battle 
of Saipan, between June 15, 1944, and July 9, 1944; the Battle of 
Tinian, between July 24, 1944, and August 1, 1944; the Battle of Iwo 
Jima, between February 19, 1945, and March 26, 1945; and, fifth, the 
Battle of Okinawa, between April 1, 1945, and June 22, 1945. What an 
outstanding contribution to make to the fight for freedom, and what a 
remarkable bit of history to be part of.
  As administrative officers noted while evaluating him, Private First 
Class Littrell performed excellently time and again. He should have 
received this promotion a long time ago.
  The units he served in, however, were under constant enemy 
bombardment, and the kinds of performance reports and administrative 
submissions that would have given him that promotion were often 
misplaced or incomplete in the midst of the rigorous amphibious 
assaults pivotal to the Allied victory.
  It wasn't until earlier this year, three-quarters of a century later, 
that the Marine Corps Advisory Panel reviewed the comprehensive record 
of Mr. Littrell's service to the Marine Corps and to the national 
security of the United States of America, and after reviewing the 
record, the Commandant of the Marine Corps recommended Delbert 
Littrell's honorary promotion to the rank of corporal, which was 
endorsed soon after by the Secretary of the Navy.
  Both of these leaders recognized Mr. Littrell's unique contributions, 
with the Secretary of the Navy noting the indelible mark that Mr. 
Littrell has left on the proud history of the U.S. Marine Corps and the 
U.S. Navy.
  The State of Oregon and our entire Nation are proud of Delbert 
Littrell's meritorious service throughout World War II. Mr. Littrell's 
remarkable combat history and his actions in support of freedom mean 
that this recognition is long overdue.
  I am proud that this son of Oregon, who I hope is watching right now, 
is finally receiving this special honor.
  Colleagues, I know that you join me in honoring, respecting, and 
appreciating Delbert Littrell and his commitment to the fight for 
freedom and his legacy of service to our Nation with the distinction of 
corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.