[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E54-E55]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN JOHN ``JACK'' A. WALTER, A VIETNAM WAR HERO, ACTIVE 
                       VOLUNTEER, AND FAMILY MAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of Vietnam Veteran Captain Jack Walter. Jack was born and raised to 
serve his country, community, and family. He grew up on the East Side 
of Buffalo and was the 8th of the 9 children of Joseph and Frances 
Walter. His father was a bricklayer, so he always knew what it meant to 
work hard in life and never give up. He graduated from St. Matthew's 
Grammar School in 1960, Canisius High School in 1964, and Gannon 
University in 1969. While in college he was a member of the Army ROTC 
Advanced Corps. With this solid foundation, Jack was ready to put his 
leadership skills to the test. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant 
in the U.S. Army, Field Artillery. He went to Vietnam and served with 
the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st/21st Artillery. He was an Artillery 
Forward Observer with an Infantry Company, an Artillery Liaison Officer 
for an Infantry Battalion, and an Assistant Executive Officer for his 
Firing Battery. While in Vietnam he served in part of the incursion 
into Cambodia in May and June of 1970 and was promoted to 1st 
Lieutenant in Cambodia.
  Jack used his skills to save the lives of others on the battlefield. 
He was awarded a Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for 
valor in combat. He received the Silver Star for ``Gallantry in Action 
while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed 
hostile enemy force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Walter 
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on June 22, 
1970 in the Kingdom of Cambodia. During an intense ground battle 
involving a well-entrenched enemy force, First Lieutenant Walter, 
serving as Artillery Liaison, repeatedly came upon heavy enemy fire as 
he diverted devastating aerial and field artillery on enemy positions. 
With complete disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Walter 
performed in a courageous and professional manner as he effectively 
directed artillery while braving the intense hostile fire.''
  Jack was also awarded a Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster 
representing two Bronze Star Awards. He received a Bronze Star Award 
with Valor, the fourth highest award for military combat bravery during 
combat actions against an enemy force. The Bronze Star Award with Valor 
was ``for heroism in connection with ground operations against a 
hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Walter also 
distinguished himself by valorous actions on February 27, 1970 in Binh 
Long Province, part of the Republic of Vietnam. When his Platoon 
encountered small arms and automatic weapons fire from an enemy bunker 
complex, he immediately called in artillery and air strikes. His 
pinpoint accuracy forced the aggressors to flee their fortified 
positions.'' He was awarded a second Bronze Star award for Meritorious 
Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces during the 
period from October 1969 to October 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. In 
addition, Jack received an Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters 
representing 5 Air Medals in total, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, and several other awards for 
his service in Vietnam. When he returned home from the warzone, he 
continued his military service by joining the U.S. Army Reserve. He was 
promoted to Captain in 1973. In 1974, when his military career ended, 
he spent the next 36 years in the aerospace and defense industry.
  When Jack came back from Vietnam, he did whatever he could to use his 
leadership skills to help his family and his community. He was active 
in the Amherst Girls Softball League where he spent 11 years as a 
coach, Vice-President, Treasurer and Registrar and where he received 
the Amherst Girls Softball League Hall of Fame Award in 1991. He was 
the coach for Christ the King girls' basketball team for 8 years and 
then went on to be the assistant head coach for the Nardin Academy 
Varsity Basketball team for 5 years. He is active in Christ the King 
Church, having served as a member of the Parish Council for 12 years 
and president of the Parish Council for 2 years. He was also Chairman 
of the Finance Committee at Christ the King Church for 5 years.
  Jack couldn't have been so successful in his life without the support 
of his family which includes his wife Janice, his three daughters which 
include Dr. Jacquelyn Dougherty who is an optometrist at the VA Western 
New York Healthcare System, Judith Dehn who is an athletic trainer at 
Excelsior Orthopaedics, Mary Colpoys who is a science teacher at Grand 
Island High School, and his 10 grandchildren. Jack's friend and fellow 
Vietnam Veteran Tom Bubar was instrumental in securing this special 
recognition for Jack. Jack's dedication to his troops in Vietnam, his 
family, and his community is an example of the selfless sacrifices that 
we should all make to ensure that our world and community is a better 
place to live.

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