[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF FIRST SERGEANT WALLACE GREEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELAINE G. LURIA

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of First 
Sergeant Wallace Green, Jr.
  Mr. Green joined the United States Marine Corps on January 10, 1947 
and served for 22 years until August 31, 1968. During the Korea 
Conflict he served from May 1952 to June 1953 with B Co. 1st Bn. 1st 
Mar. Div as a section leader in the Machine gun Platoon. FMF Rein. On 
July 7, 1953, he married the love of his life, Mildred Simpson. In 
March 1965, he served in Vietnam with C Co. 1st Bn. 3rd MAR. 3RD Mar. 
Div. as 1st platoon leader.
  After his service in Vietnam, he was assigned to 2nd Marine Air Wing 
as a counselor for those confined in the Base Brig. Once he was 
promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, he was reassigned as the Non-
Commissioned Officers School, First Sergeant. Then in April of 1967 he 
received orders to O.C.S. Basic School as the First Sergeant of Company 
E in Quantico, Va. At the end of the training period, he stayed at MCB 
Quantico as the First Sergeant. of Hq. Co. Service Bn. until his 
retirement in August of 1968.
  Upon retirement, Mr. Green joined the Postal Service as a clerk and 
enrolled into Tidewater Community College's Portsmouth, Virginia 
Campus. After graduating, he transferred to Old Dominion University and 
received a B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education. Soon 
after, in February of 1974, Norfolk Public School hired him as teacher. 
He later attended the University of George Washington, where he 
received a Master of Art Degree in Education in 1978. In 1991 he 
received a Master of Divinity Degree from Richmond Virginia Seminary, 
and in 1995 he retired from the Norfolk Public Schools after 21 years 
of faithful service to his community.
  Mr. Green was a devoted Christian and served as a bible school 
teacher at his church for many years. Mr. Green considered his son, 
Kendall Green, as one of his greatest achievements in life.
  A Montford Point Marine, Mr. Green became one of the first Black 
Marines in the country, putting his life on the line during a time of 
immense racial strife, division, and war. He received the Congressional 
Gold Medal when Montford Point Marines were awarded the honor in 2012.
  Mr. Green is an American hero. His selflessness, perseverance, and 
commitment to serving others will continue to inspire generations 
across the country. The United States and Coastal Virginia are better 
off because of First Sergeant Green, and we will miss him dearly.

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