[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 197 (Thursday, November 19, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H5982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LESTER SHOFF

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an amazing 
constituent and patriot from the Central Coast of California, Lester 
Shoff.
  Raised in Pennsylvania, Lester was drafted into the Army in 1941. In 
fact, his draft number in the lottery was lucky number 1. Making the 
rank of staff sergeant, Lester was sent to the South Pacific and faced 
many of the challenges of serving in World War II.
  He fought for 4 years on close to 10 islands in the Pacific, during 
which time he turned down a battlefield commission to become an 
officer. He was shot in the back by a sniper, and he was even stung by 
a scorpion.
  Although Lester was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze 
Star, his daughter, Kay, told us that he never liked discussing the war 
because, when he did, the unemotional Lester would be brought to tears 
by the memory of two men who died on a mission that he led.
  After serving, Lester moved to Silicon Valley, where he worked for 
Lockheed and developed glue for the Space Shuttle. He then retired to 
the Central Coast with his family.
  Madam Speaker, some say Lester was lucky; I say that we are all lucky 
to call Lester an American.

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