Richard A. Pittman Va Clinic

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6722, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.

Richard Pittman was born on May 26, 1945, in French Camp, California. At age 20, he joined the Marines. A year later, in July of 1966, Lance Corporal Pittman's unit was moving on a trail in the jungles of Vietnam when the unit ahead of his came under heavy enemy fire.

Upon hearing this, Lance Corporal Pittman took his machine gun, along with several belts of ammo, and ran toward the sound of gunfire in true Marine Corps fashion. He came under intense enemy fire but managed to continue advancing toward the Marine unit that was under attack.

Faced by dozens of enemy combatants, he forced them to retreat by using a combination of machine-gun fire, captured enemy weapons, weapons from his fellow fallen marines, and hand grenades.

Due to his courageous actions in battle, Lance Corporal Pittman, now a sergeant, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson in May of 1968.

He retired as a master sergeant, after serving more than two decades in the corps. Master Sergeant Pittman's selfless devotion of duty and fighting spirit to save the lives of his wounded comrades will be truly honored by having his name on this VA clinic.

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Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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