[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF RAYMOND SHELTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBERT HURT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2015

  Mr. HURT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to 
commemorate the life of Buffalo Soldier Raymond Shelton of Halifax 
County, Virginia, who passed away June 12, 2015 at age 100.
  Raymond Shelton served as a medic in the 92nd Infantry Buffalo 
Division, the last segregated Army division and the only African-
American division to fight in Europe during World War II. This division 
suffered 3,200 devastating casualties between August 1944 and May 1945, 
as it fought to liberate Italy from Nazi occupation. Mr. Shelton served 
as a chaplain assistant for an Army medical corps, where he played 
music at services in the field, fought in combat, guarded a German POW 
camp, and had the somber task of collecting personal belongings of 
deceased soldiers to return to their families.
  Mr. Shelton was awarded four medals for his dedicated service: a good 
conduct medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Service 
Medal, American Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. In 1946, 
Shelton was honorably discharged as a tech corporal and later settled 
in Hampton, where he worked his way up from bag boy to store manager at 
the Bi-Lo Market.
  He retired to South Boston with his wife, Mabel, but his service to 
others did not end with his military career. In his retirement, he 
often visited nursing homes, sharing his love of music by playing the 
piano and entertaining residents with his stories. He was a pillar in 
the community and will forever be remembered as a hero to South Boston 
and our great nation for his compassion, dedication, and patriotism.
  On the occasion of the passing of Raymond Shelton, I ask that the 
members of this House of Representatives join with me and the community 
of South Boston, Virginia in honoring the memory of a great American 
hero.




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