[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E723-E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING MASTER GUNNERY SERGEANT

  (RET) CARROLL BRAXTON, USMC
                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JENNIFER WEXTON

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2024

  Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, 
Prince William County, Virginia resident, United States Marine Master 
Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) and proud World War II and Korean War Veteran 
Carroll Braxton on the occasion of his 100th Birthday, and to thank him 
for his years of dedicated service.
  MGySgt (Ret.) Carroll Braxton was born on July 14, 1924 in Manassas, 
Virginia. Shortly after President Roosevelt cleared the path for 
citizens ``regardless of color, race, creed or national origin.'' to 
enlist, Mr. Braxton, along with several of his high school classmates, 
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943. Completing Boot 
Camp at the segregated, Monford Point Base in North Carolina, Mr. 
Braxton earned his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, stating that ``We were 
`the chosen few,' and as an experimental group, we had to prove we 
could make it.``
  After graduating from Boot Camp, he served as a Marine Drill 
Instructor until his deployment overseas with the Fifth Replacement 
Depot Company. Mr. Braxton and his unit island-hopped through the 
Saipan, Peleliu, and Okinawa campaigns in 1945 where he earned the rank 
of Sergeant. In 1946, Carroll left the Active-Duty Marine Corps and 
joined the Marine Reserves, only to be called back to active duty at 
Camp Lejeune during the Korean War.
  After the war, Mr. Braxton returned home to Manassas and married his 
wife Celestine and welcomed two children Monique and Robert. Mr. 
Braxton retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1979, as a 
Master Gunnery Sergeant after 33 years of distinguished and dedicated 
military service. Though retired, Mr. Braxton continued his dedication 
and service to his country working as a procurement analyst at the 
Cameron Station Army Base in Alexandria. Living the values of the 
Marine Corps, Mr. Braxton also served his community, serving as a 
Deacon and Board of Trustees Chair at the First Baptist Church of 
Manassas, and establishing the local American Legion Post. In 2012, 
President Obama awarded Mr. Braxton and the Monford Point Marines the 
Congressional Gold Medal. In 2020, Prince William County renamed one of 
its schools, Unity Braxton Middle School, in honor of Celestine and 
Carroll and their incredible years of service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me today in 
congratulating Master

[[Page E724]]

Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) Carroll Braxton on the occasion of his 100th 
birthday, and for his outstanding service and sacrifice, on behalf of a 
grateful Nation.

                          ____________________