[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING U.S. ARMY VETERAN HOWARD ``SAM'' WAITE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Army 
veteran Howard ``Sam'' Waite. Sam was born on July 2, 1926, in Pontiac, 
Michigan, and his military service spans three wartime periods and 
includes some of the most significant contlicts of the twentieth 
century.
  Raised in Poultney, Vermont, Sam was drafted in 1944 at the age of 
18. He served as a rifleman assigned to Battery C, 658th Field 
Artillery Battalion, in the European Theater of Operations. Sam was in 
Germany on Victory in Europe Day, witnessing the surrender of Nazi 
Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. For his service, Sam 
earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon.
  After the war, Sam reenlisted as an automotive repairman and served 
through the Korean War, ascending through the non-commissioned officer 
ranks and earning the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. 
Following Korea, Sam was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, before 
transferring to the Panama Canal Zone, where he provided military 
assistance and economic aid by training local troops to operate U.S.-
provided vehicles. During this assignment, Sam also traveled throughout 
South America, including visits to Bolivia, Chile, and Uruguay.
  Sam later served during the Vietnam War, earning the Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Returning to the United States, he 
spent two years as an Assistant Professor of Automotive Engineering at 
the United States Military Academy at West Point before being deployed 
to Iran during the turmoil of the 1960s. On June 7, 1966, Sam achieved 
the senior rank in the Army Non-Commissioned Officer Corps, often 
referred to as the backbone of the Army. In 1968, Sam retired as a 
highly decorated Sergeant Major after more than 24 years of military 
service.
  Following his retirement from the Army, Sam returned home to 
Granville, New York where he continued serving his community. He 
operated a Texaco gas station and repair shop for 16 years before 
spending the next four decades working in automotive air-conditioning 
repair. Sam ultimately retired at the age of 88.
  On July 2, 2026, Sam will celebrate his 100th birthday. His century 
of life has been defined by service, sacrifice, hard work, and devotion 
to both his country and his community. On behalf of New York's 21st 
Congressional District, I am honored to recognize Howard ``Sam'' Waite 
and thank him for his extraordinary service to the United States.

                          ____________________