[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING VETERAN HENRY R. CASTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2022

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of World 
War II and Vietnam veteran, Mr. Henry R. Castro. A San Antonio native, 
Mr. Castro has dedicated his life to service, community, and country. 
Please join me in recognizing the story of this extraordinary American.
  Henry R. Castro was born on April 26, 1927. The son of a butcher and 
grocer, Juan and Maria Castro, he grew up learning about hard work. On 
June 12, 1945, Mr. Castro enlisted into the United States Army and was 
assigned to the 78th Infantry Division, being deployed to Berlin, 
Germany. On November 29, 1946, Mr. Castro was honorably discharged as a 
Private First Class under HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry. As 
Cold War tensions rose, Mr. Castro heard the call of duty and 
reenlisted into the U.S. Army on August 21, 1948, and shortly 
thereafter was deployed to Trieste, Italy. There, he was assigned to 
the T.R.U.S.T. troops in the Italian Alps tasked with defending Trieste 
against then Communist Yugoslavia. He was later honorably discharged on 
June 27, 1950.
  In 1951, Mr Castro was hired on at Kelly Air Force Base serving as a 
Civil Service Employee and later at Brooks Air Force Base. During his 
civil service tenure, Mr. Castro also served in the Air Force Reserves 
for more than 7 years under the 433rd Troop Carrier Wing. In the summer 
of 1967 due to his reserve status, he was recalled into active duty 
during the Vietnam War and during the North Korean's capture of the 
U.S.S. Pueblo. He remained on active duty until his retirement date of 
June 1, 1984. Mr. Castro retired as a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant.
  For his service in the armed forces in defense of our nation, Mr. 
Castro received the following: World War II Victory Medal and Ribbon, 
Overseas Service Bar, Army of Occupation Medal Germany, Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Devices, 
American Campaign Medal, European--African--Middle Eastern Campaign 
Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 
Three Devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic 
of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent someone of such high caliber. 
On behalf of Texas' 20th Congressional District, I thank Mr. Castro for 
his commitment and patriotism. I also thank Mr. Castro for everything 
he has done in-service to our great Nation. May God bless him and his 
loved ones.

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