[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18240]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN G. FULLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 17, 2009

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
great Alaskan, Mr. John (Jack) G. Fuller, an outstanding soldier, 
legislator and Alaskan. Mr. Fuller served our country in the Marine 
Corps, the Michigan National Guard, the Alaskan National Guard and as a 
Representative to the Alaskan Legislature. His abilities and dedication 
have been recognized by all who have served with him, and earned him 
the opinion of others as irreplaceable.
  Jack Fuller began his military career with the 21st Regiment of the 
Third Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, in Guam 
and at Iwo Jima. It was at Iwo Jima that he was awarded the Silver Star 
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. Whilst serving as a Sergeant 
on February 23, 1945, Mr. Fuller took command of his unit when all its 
officers were dead or wounded and enabled his platoon to continue the 
attack. Following this he was promoted to Second Lieutenant.
  Following World War II, Mr. Fuller returned to Michigan and joined 
the Michigan National Guard. During this period he excelled and 
successfully graduated from the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced 
courses and the Command and General Staff College. He was eventually 
granted a permanent commission.
  In 1964, Jack Fuller moved to Alaska, with the intention of teaching 
at the Bureau of Indian Affairs schools on St. Lawrence Island. He also 
enlisted in the First Scout Battalion, an Eskimo division of the 
Alaskan National Guard, based in Nome. Jack worked his way up, reaching 
the rank of Battalion Commander. While under his command, the unit was 
evaluated as excellent during JACK FROST 1977. Mr. Fuller was further 
awarded the Legion of Merit, the third highest award of the Army for 
the outstanding skill, initiative and professionalism he displayed as a 
Commander. He was the first officer of the Alaskan National Guard to 
achieve this honor and his dedication to the battalion earned him the 
admiration of those he served with.
  Upon retirement from the Alaskan National Guard in 1978, Mr. Fuller 
turned to a new challenge and was elected to the Alaskan Legislature as 
a Representative for District 22, where he served for eight years. In 
1986, Mr. Fuller was one of the first to be recruited for the Alaska 
Defense Force upon its creation, where he used his many skills to aid 
the State in times of emergency. He also contributed to the State 
through his work as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Norton. Sound 
Health Corporation. In recent times Mr. Fuller has also served as 
President of the Wasilla Senior Center. Regardless of the task at hand, 
Jack Fuller has committed himself fully to serving others.
  On behalf of The United States of America, I extend my thanks and 
appreciation to Jack Fuller, for his dedication and service to the 
Great State of Alaska and the entire country. His achievements in both 
military and civilian life are remarkable and deserve our recognition 
here, today.

                          ____________________