[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E782-E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CORPORAL DONALD A. SHIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of service 
and sacrifice of United States Marine Corps veteran Corporal Donald A. 
Shields.
  Cpl. Shields was born in the town of Harpersfield, New York in 1932. 
After graduating high school, Cpl. Shields voluntarily enlisted into 
the United States Marine Corps on September 7, 1951 during the onset of 
the Korean Conflict. Cpl. Shields left his job as a dairy farmer to 
serve.
  After completing basic training, Cpl. Shields was deployed to Korea 
where he served selflessly and honorably. Cpl. Shields earned two 
Purple Hearts for his valor and sacrifice, along with the Korean War 
Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service 
Medal, and, most notably, the South Korean Presidential Unit Citation 
for his service with the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in 
Korea.
  Following his 3 years of service in the Marines, Cpl. Shields was 
honorably discharged from active duty, although he continued to serve 
in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1959. Upon his return stateside, he 
found employment as a truck driver for Mobil Oil Corporation. Cpl. 
Shields moved his family to Castleton, New York and drove for Mobil for 
33 years before retiring.
  Donald always remained involved in his local community. He worked for 
the Town of Schodack as a building inspector and member of the Zoning 
and Planning Board. Donald was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Post 7337, a communicant of St Paul's Methodist Church, and a Boy 
Scouts Troop Leader. Donald was a proud family man, and enjoyed 
traveling with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, and 
doing handyman work for his friends.
  Corporal Donald A. Shields' record of service to his country and 
Rensselaer County is admirable, and it is my honor on behalf of New 
York's 21st Congressional District to recognize the commendable life 
and inspiring legacy of Corporal Shields.

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