[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              HONORING A TRUE AMERICAN HERO, ALFRED RASCON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American 
hero, Medal of Honor recipient Alfred Rascon. Rascon risked his own 
life suffering serious injury to save the men of his battalion during 
the Vietnam War.
  Alfred Rascon, a soft-spoken Army medic, exhibited the type of 
heroism that few encounter in a lifetime. On March 16, 1966, Rascon and 
his unit, a reconnaissance platoon for the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 1st 
Battalion, 503rd Regiment, was advancing through the jungle in Long 
Khanh Province to assist another battalion that had come under fire. 
However, Rascon's unit was ambushed before they reached the besieged 
battalion. Through heavy gunfire and grenade blasts, Rascon risked his 
life during the intense battle tending to his fallen comrades.
  Twice Rascon jumped on wounded soldiers to shield them from grenades, 
taking the shrapnel himself. He was also shot while shielding another 
member of his platoon. Despite these wounds, he was still able to 
retrieve a machine gun and ammunition that helped keep the enemy at 
bay, saving his platoon. Rascon served his country with the utmost 
diligence, and saved the lives of many. The wounds he suffered that day 
were so serious that he was given last rites.
  Alfred Rascon did survive, and despite many years and the red tape of 
bureaucracy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor this past February. I 
commend his remarkable display of bravery. His loyalty to his battalion 
is an inspiration to all.
  I congratulate Alfred Rascon on receiving the much-deserved Medal of 
Honor. His heroic actions that day in March saved the lives of his 
battalion. He is a great American. He went beyond the call of duty to 
serve his country. For that, the nation expresses its gratitude.

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