[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE COURAGEOUS MILITARY SERVICE OF SPECIALIST 4 MARCUS RAY 
                                OSBORNE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor SP4 Marcus Ray Osborne 
from Kingsport in Sullivan County, Tennessee for his courageous service 
in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After receiving his 
draft notice, SPC Osborne reported for duty on July 14, 1969, and 
completed basic and advance infantry training as an infantryman at Fort 
Gordon with MOS 11B.
  By January of 1970, SPC Osborne was assigned to the Americal Division 
in Chu Lai, Vietnam. For eleven months, he served with Company C 4/31th 
196LIB in the surrounding areas of Hiep Duc. SPC Osborne remembers that 
most of his days were spent ``surviving and making it back home 
alive.'' SPC Osborne returned home in December 1970 and was honorably 
discharged from the Army on July 13, 1971.
  SPC Osborne remains grateful that he was able to return to his 
position at Eastman after his military service. SPC Osborne quickly 
resumed his career and remained with Eastman for almost 40 years until 
his retirement in 2007. Following his career at Eastman, he worked for 
a local golf course for 15 years. SPC Osborne's sacrifice to our 
country continued long after his service as a result of his exposure to 
Agent Orange in Vietnam. SPC Osborne is blessed and deeply devoted to 
his loving wife Rita of 48 years, with whom he had one son, Matthew. 
Matthew and his wife Kelsey have given them ``super loved'' 
granddaughters, Margaret and Marion.
  Please join me in recognizing Specialist 4 Marcus Ray Osborne for his 
distinguished military service to our great Nation.

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