[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR HOWARD A. McRAE

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to memorialize a 
decorated veteran from the Alaska community of Haines, CSM Howard A. 
McRae. Born in 1929, he wanted to see more of the world, so, with his 
buddy Dave Berry, he made his way to Seattle. In that short distance, 
the two young men found themselves broke, so they joined the U.S. Army, 
where they received training in electronics. That was 1948.
  For Howard it was a turning point. Described by a family member as 
``a little disheveled,'' the Army changed his life. He was now on his 
way to a 23-year military career, including 11 in the Green Berets.
  Howard got his wish to see more of the world, although perhaps not as 
originally intended. Assignments took him to Korea, Japan, Laos, 
Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. He did four tours of duty in Korea and 
three in Vietnam.
  Described as courageous and disciplined, Howard McRae received many 
citations and medals for his bravery, his dedication to duty, and his 
leadership. Among them: an Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze 
Oak Leaf Clusters to include a ``V'' for valor; a Korean Service Medal 
with four Bronze Service Stars; a Vietnam Service Medal with three 
Bronze Service Stars, a United Nations Service Medal given by the U.N. 
for participation in the Korean war; and an Army Commendation Medal and 
Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service as chief instructor of the 
Advance Training Committee and as sergeant major and director of 
instruction at Fort Bragg, NC.
  Exemplifying the military's own respect for Command Sergeant Major 
McRae, he was among the 44 Special Services soldiers chosen to stand 
guard over President John F. Kennedy's body as he lay in State in the 
White House. McRae had said that this was his proudest moment.
  In his later military career, McRae was command sergeant major of the 
Special Forces School and the High Altitude Low Opening Military 
School, parachute at Fort Bragg, NC. As the highest ranking 
noncommissioned officer at the post, he was in charge of oversight for 
those who taught tactical training skills. Truly, he was a leader among 
leaders.
  Unfortunately, and likely due to the effects of agent orange 
connected to his service in Vietnam, Command Sergeant Major McRae was 
medically retired in 1971. With wife Sarah Elizabeth, whom he met at 
Fort Bragg, he returned to Haines. There, he continued in service but 
this time through the city and borough of Haines, where he served in 
the borough assessor's office. In 1976 he and Sarah moved to Juneau, 
where he served as a budget analyst for the Alaska Department of 
Education.
  Every inch a soldier, McRae raised his blended family of 8 children 
and 34 grandchildren to serve. His son Guy served in the Army, as did 
grandsons Steven and Joshua. Grandson Thomas joined the Marines and, 
given his grandfather's indomitable spirit, survived serious injuries 
in Afghanistan.
  Sadly, we lost Command Sergeant Major McRae in 1987, but given his 
service through the military, his community, and State, it is only 
fitting that his home community of Haines has placed his name in 
partnership with another great Alaskan leader, Walter Soboleff, on a 
veteran's home. The Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village and Wellness Center 
will forever serve as a reminder of the exemplary service of this man 
gave to his country. We are eternally grateful.

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