[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          PURPLE HEART AWARDED TO SPECIALIST RAYMOND S. TESTON

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
Raymond S. Teston. Ray is a great man, and an American hero.
  Specialist Raymond S. Teston had served close to one full year of 
field duty and was to leave Vietnam to return home to Georgia. The 
night before his departure, August 12, 1969, and the following morning, 
``C'' troop, First Squadron, 1st Calvary of the American Division was 
overrun while at Base Camp, Hawk Hill, Hill 29. The first wave of the 
attack was from rocket propelled grenades and 122 mm rockets killing 
several soldiers and injuring many more. Ray was critically wounded 
during the ensuing battle and out of the 86 men assigned, was one of 
only eleven who survived.
  On November 5, 1999, the President of the United States of America, 
the Army Adjutant General and the Secretary of the Army awarded the 
Purple Heart to Specialist Raymond S. Teston, United States Army, for 
wounds received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 
1969. This is Ray's second award of the Purple Heart; his first came on 
April 2, 1968, just outside of the Tam Key, Vietnam.
  I commend Ray Teston's courage and bravery. I thank him, and all 
veterans, for their service and sacrifices to our great country and for 
defending our freedoms. Each time I salute the flag, I like to think of 
heroes such as Raymond S. Teston, who symbolize all the things that are 
good about this country--duty--honor--faith in our democracy. Thank you 
Raymond S. Teston.

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