[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RETIRED) ROBERT LEWIS ``SAM'' WETZEL

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
extraordinary American patriot, soldier, mentor, and hero, Lt. Gen. 
(RET.) Robert Lewis ``Sam'' Wetzel. He transitioned on Thursday, 
January 20, 2022. His Funeral Mass was held on Friday, January 28, 
2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia 
followed by a military burial at the Fort Benning National Cemetery and 
visitation at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
  Lt. Gen. (RET.) Robert Lewis ``Sam'' Wetzel was born in Clarksburg, 
West Virginia on October 6, 1930. His impressive 34-year military 
career began after he graduated from Irving High School in 1948. He 
planned to attend Purdue University, but ultimately went to the United 
States Military Academy at West Point. After graduating from West Point 
in 1952 as an Infantry Officer, he was immediately deployed to Korea, 
where he served as a Company Commander. In 1961, as a captain, he 
commanded a mechanized infantry company in Germany.
  In 1968, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Wetzel was deployed to South 
Vietnam to serve as the commander of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry 
Regiment (United States), also known as the ``Polar Bears''. During a 
firefight, an enemy bullet grazed his forehead leaving a small but 
permanent scar. The abrasion and his actions during the Vietnam War 
prompted his nomination for a Purple Heart, which he declined, however, 
believing that his wound was not severe enough to warrant being awarded 
a Purple Heart.
  Following his return from Vietnam, he was promoted to the rank of 
Colonel and assumed command of a brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 
1975, following promotion to the rank of Brigadier General, he was sent 
to West Germany, where he commanded the First Infantry Division. 
Following his command with the First Infantry Division, he received his 
second star from the Commander of all European and American forces in 
Europe, the renowned, General Alexander Haig.
  Wetzel went on to serve as General Haig's Chief of Staff in Belgium 
from 1978 to 1979. During this time, he worked with his staff to 
develop a response to the Soviet Union's deployment of nuclear missiles 
in Europe. The ultimate strategy was to deploy the Perishing II 
missiles in Europe, so that Moscow could be hit in a matter of minutes, 
shortening the response time for the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, 
domestic political battles began in NATO countries about deploying the 
Pershing II missiles, and that strategy was deferred. After his tenure 
as General Haig's Chief of Staff, Wetzel commanded the Third Infantry 
Division in Wurzburg, where he led his division to victory in the 
annual war games staged in West Germany.
  In 1981, Wetzel was diagnosed with what was thought to be terminal 
melanoma cancer and was given less than a year to live. During this 
time, the Army offered him full medical disability in exchange for 
retirement, but he refused the offer, signed a waiver, and remained on 
active duty. The Army sent him back to the United States, where he 
managed to make a full recovery and assume command of the infantry 
training center in Fort Benning, Georgia.
  In 1983, Wetzel was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and 
sent to Germany as the Deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in 
Europe as the NATO allies had finally approved the Pershing II plan. 
Upon his arrival, Wetzel's main responsibility was to receive and 
deploy the Pershing II missiles amid anti-war demonstrations all over 
Europe. It is argued that the Perishing II plan was one of three key 
factors that contributed to the defeat of the Soviet Union and the end 
of the Cold War.
  In 1986, Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Colin 
Powell, succeeded Wetzel in command of V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. 
This was his last assignment before retirement.
  Following his military service, he continued to serve his community 
and make a positive impact in the lives of others. His contributions 
include serving as the Commander in Chief of the Military Order of the 
World Wars, a Veterans organization of commissioned officers, which is 
committed to promoting national security, patriotism, good citizenship, 
and service to one's country. During his stint as Commander in Chief, 
he worked tirelessly to educate the public, local civic clubs like 
Kiwanis and Rotary, and the media on national security issues while 
also instilling patriotism and leadership skills in young people 
through Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, JROTC, ROTC, and other youth programs.
  Among his numerous honors and awards are the Army Distinguished 
Service Medal, a Bronze Star, two Legions of Merit, six Air Medals, a 
Joint Superior Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, and a Combat 
Infantryman's Badge with Star.
  Lt. Gen. (RET.) Wetzel accomplished much throughout his life, but 
none of this would have been possible without his enduring faith in God 
and the love and support of his wife, Eileen; their children, Margaret, 
Robert, Eileen, Theodore, Patricia, Catherine, and Michael; and a host 
of other family, friends, and associates, all of whom will miss him 
dearly.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 
730,000 residents of the Second Congressional District of Georgia in 
paying tribute to Lt. Gen. (RET.) Robert Lewis ``Sam'' Wetzel for his 
extraordinary service to his nation, his community, and to humankind. 
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those 
who mourn his loss.

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