[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING MARINE CORPS MASTER SERGEANT FRANK MASON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2016

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, five years ago, I had the honor of bringing 
to the attention of this House a tribute for a great Devil Dog 
celebrating his 90th birthday. Once again, I have been given this honor 
and rise to recognize Marine Corps Master Sergeant Frank Mason who will 
be turning 95 this month.
  As I said at that time, Frank is part of America's greatest 
generation who led our nation to victory in World War II and came home 
to live a life every one of us should be blessed to have. On May 3, 
2011, I outlined Frank's life story of service and sacrifice in great 
detail, so here I will just remind everyone briefly that he enlisted in 
the Marine Corps at 17, proudly serving in World War II in China and 
the Philippines, held as a prisoner of war for over three years, and 
once again served during the Korean War, including the critical and 
historic Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
  While I initially searched for new words to describe Frank and his 
service, I have come to the realization that what was stated five years 
ago remains the best description and rings just as true today. So, with 
no apology for repeating my previous remarks, I believe Frank's account 
of these events aptly reflects the attitude of a Marine rifleman and 
the proud tradition and honor of the Marine Corps to this very day. 
Frank asserted, ``We never surrendered. We were ordered to stop 
fighting.''
  I will also repeat the quote I used at the time from Ronald Reagan, 
``Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a 
difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem.'' Mr. 
Speaker, as a fellow Marine and a Member of Congress that represents 
Frank in this body, I am proud to once again thank him for his service 
and wish him all the best as he celebrates his 95th birthday. Frank, we 
are honored by the example you provide. Semper Fidelis.

                          ____________________