[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19038]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           MEMORIALIZING STAFF SERGEANT MARVIN ``REX'' YOUNG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize a friend and a 
true hero of our country. Americans honor those who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice for freedom through a variety of methods.
  Most of the times we talk about this sacrifice in terms of all of 
those brave men and women as a group. While this is entirely 
appropriate, I encourage everyone to make the issue personal by 
thinking about a specific individual.
  Every soldier has their own important story, and every American 
should have one story that pulls at their heartstrings and personifies 
the ideals of our young men and women in uniform. For me that story is 
Rex Young. Rex graduated from Odessa Permian High School in 1965 and 
attended Odessa College for 1 year before joining the Army on September 
15, 1966.
  He took basic training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, and he had been 
serving in Vietnam for 10 months when he was killed. Rex's mother, 
Marilyn, said Rex planned to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock 
following his service.
  I would like to read from the citation that describes Rex's heroism: 
``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of 
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Staff Sergeant Rex Young 
distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a squad 
leader with Company C. While conducting a reconnaissance mission in the 
vicinity of Ben Cui, Company C was suddenly engaged by an estimated 
regimental-sized force of the North Vietnamese Army.
  ``During the initial volley of fire, the point element of 1st Platoon 
was pinned down, sustaining several casualties and the acting platoon 
leader was killed. Staff Sergeant Young unhesitatingly assumed command 
of the platoon and immediately began to organize and deploy his men 
into a defensive position in order to repel the attacking force.
  ``As a human wave attack advanced on Staff Sergeant Young's platoon, 
he moved from position to position encouraging and directing fire on 
the hostile insurgents while exposing himself to the hail of enemy 
bullets.
  ``After receiving orders to withdraw to a better defensive position, 
he remained behind to provide covering fire for the withdrawal. 
Observing that a small element of the point squad was unable to extract 
itself from its position, and completely disregarding his personal 
safety, Staff Sergeant Young began moving toward their position, firing 
as he maneuvered. When half way to their position, he sustained a 
critical head injury, yet he continued his mission and ordered the 
element to withdraw.
  ``Remaining with the squad as it fought its way to the rear, he was 
twice seriously wounded in the arm and leg. Although his leg was badly 
shattered, Staff Sergeant Young refused assistance that would have 
slowed the retreat of his comrades, and he ordered them to continue 
their withdrawal while he provided protective covering fire.
  ``With indomitable courage and heroic self-sacrifice, he continued 
his self-assigned mission until the enemy force engulfed his position. 
His gallantry, at the cost of his life, is in the highest traditions of 
the military service. Staff Sergeant Young has reflected great credit 
upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.''
  For his service to his country and tremendous valor displayed in 
battle, Rex was awarded the Medal of Honor, and I believe he is the 
first individual to receive that honor from Odessa, Texas.
  Like so many of the bravest men and women that our Nation has to 
offer, Rex Young lived the life unfinished. But he provided an 
outstanding example of service beyond self and brought credit and honor 
upon the United States Army and our country.
  As the 37th anniversary of Rex's death arrives on August 21, I would 
like to thank Staff Sergeant Young and his family for their sacrifice 
to our great Nation.

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