Richard A. Pittman Va Clinic
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6722) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the ``Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6722
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Richard A. Pittman was born on May 26, 1945, in French Camp, California.
(2) Richard A. Pittman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and was later promoted to Lance Corporal.
(3) On July 24, 1966, Lance Corporal Pittman's unit, First Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, was moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack.
(4) Upon hearing the attack, Lance Corporal Pittman took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he advanced, Lance Corporal Pittman encountered intense small-arms fire at point-blank range. He was able to return fire and silence the enemy combatants. Continuing towards the attacked Marines, Lance Corporal Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to destroy.
(5) When Lance Corporal Pittman learned there were additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and gunfire to get to them. As he reached them, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters.
(6) Lance Corporal Pittman used a combination of machine- gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause enemy forces to withdraw. Due to his courageous actions, many of his wounded comrades were saved.
(7) In recognition of his bravery that day, Richard A. Pittman, who was then a Sergeant, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
(8) Richard A. Pittman retired in 1988 as a Master Sergeant, after having served in the Marine Corps for more than two decades. SEC. 2. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY- BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, FRENCH CAMP, CALIFORNIA.
(a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic''.
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Mr. TAKANO. 6722.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of a remarkable Californian, Master Sergeant Richard Allan Pittman, by naming VA's brand-new, state-of-the-art outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Jerry McNerney of California, for leading this legislation, which will appropriately pay tribute to Master Sergeant Pittman, a marine who served his Nation with honor and distinction during and after the Vietnam war.
A native of the San Joaquin Valley, Master Sergeant Pittman was born in French Camp, California, in 1945 and graduated from Franklin High School in nearby Stockton in 1964.
Declared legally blind in one eye, Master Sergeant Pittman was considered medically unfit for combat by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, but he did not let that deter him. Set on serving in the military, Master Sergeant Pittman somehow bluffed a vision test and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1965. He was soon deployed to Vietnam.
On July 24, 1966, as his unit moved along a narrow jungle path near the demilitarized zone, marines ahead of him came under heavy fire. Master Sergeant Pittman immediately leaped into action, grabbing a machine gun and several belts of ammunition as he rushed to his comrades' defense.
Facing a frontal assault by dozens of North Vietnamese troops, Master Sergeant Pittman boldly repelled the enemy attack by using a combination of weapons he had at his disposal.
His actions that day no doubt saved the lives of several wounded marines. For this ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life,'' Master Sergeant Pittman was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Johnson in 1968.
He was discharged from the service that year, but Master Sergeant Pittman chose to reenlist. He went on to serve another 18 years in the Marines before retiring in 1988. He died in 2016 at the age of 71.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, the U.S. Armed Forces' highest declaration for valor, Master Sergeant Pittman also received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
These distinctions, like the naming of this VA clinic, are just symbols, however. The true measure of Master Sergeant Pittman's character was revealed to the world on that July day in 1966 and is evident in the lives of the marines that he saved.
I am humbled to be able to honor Master Sergeant Pittman's service, and I am proud to count him among the brave and dutiful servicemen and -women who have fought for centuries in defense of the American ideals we hold so dear.
Mr. Speaker I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 6722 from the California delegation, as well as The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, August 1, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Moran, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: We write in support of H.R. 6722, legislation that would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee of five veterans to collect and review potential names for the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the embodiment of bravery and service.
Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966, his unit was moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and gun fire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many wounded comrades, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
We urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to those who gave our country their all. Sincerely,
Jerry McNerney, Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, Nancy Pelosi, Member of Congress, Mark Takano, Josh Harder, Alex Padilla, Kevin McCarthy, Jared Huffman, Scott H. Peters, Karen Bass, Jackie Speier, Ami Bera, M.D., Judy Chu, Katie Porter, Grace F. Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jim Costa, Jimmy Panetta, Members of Congress.
Ken Calvert, Jay Obernolte, Anna G. Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, J. Luis Correa, Sara Jacobs, Tony Cardenas, Young Kim, John Garamendi, Raul Ruiz, M.D., Ted Lieu, Juan Vargas, Nanette Diaz Barragan, Mark DeSaulnier, Linda T. Sanchez, Julia Brownley, Alan Lowenthal, Brad Sherman, Barbara Lee, Mike Levin, Members of Congress.
Eric Swalwell, Michelle Steel, Adam B. Schiff, Mike Thompson, Tom McClintock, Norma J. Torres, Pete Aguilar, Doris Matsui, Mike Garcia, Doug LaMalfa, Ro Khanna, Darrell Issa, Maxine Waters, Connie Conway, Salud Carbajal, David G. Valadao, Jimmy Gomez, Members of Congress. ____ The American Legion, Department of California, Sanger, CA, July 20, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Moran, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: I write to inform you that the California Department of The American Legion wholeheartedly supports H.R. 6722, legislation that would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee of five veterans to collect and review potential names for the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the embodiment of bravery and service.
Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966. his unit was moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his fellow comrades. As he moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and gunfire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many wounded comrades, and he subsequently was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
After retiring from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant, Richard Pittman remained a visible and active member of the community in the city of Stockton and San Joaquin County, California, promoting patriotism and citizenship.
We urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to those who gave our country their all. Sincerely, Jere Romano, Commander, The American Legion, Department of California. ____ VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elk Grove, CA, May 31, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Moran, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: I write to inform you that the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California supports H.R. 6722, legislation that would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee of five veterans to collect and review potential names for the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the embodiment of bravery and service.
Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966, his unit was moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and gun fire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many wounded comrades, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
After retiring from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant, Richard Pittman remained a visible and active member of the community in the city of Stockton and San Joaquin County, California, promoting patriotism and citizenship.
I urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to those who gave our country their all. Sincerely, Dawn M. Napier, Commander, VFW Department of California. ____ Disabled American Veterans, Department of California, March 26, 2022. Re Department of California supports naming the Stockton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) after the late Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC (Ret).
Dearest Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs: As Commander of the Department of California Disabled American Veterans representing over 70,000 DAV Life Members in the State of California and in recognition of our fallen veterans and their survivors . . . as a department of veterans--who advocate daily for the heroes that served this nation; we sincerely support the renaming the Stockton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) after the late Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC (Ret).
Master Sergeant Pittman, received the Medal of Honor for his Bravery for the following: While Company (I) was conducting an operation along the axis of a narrow jungle trail, the leading company elements suffered numerous casualties when they suddenly came under heavy fire from a well-concealed and numerically superior force. Hearing the engaged marines' calls for more firepower, MSgt. Pittman quickly exchanged his rifle for a machine gun and several belts of ammunition, left the relative safety of his platoon, and unhesitatingly rushed forward to aid his comrades.
Taken under intense enemy small-arms fire at point-blank range during his advance, he returned the fire, silencing the enemy position. As MSgt. Pittman continued to forge forward to aid members of the leading platoon, he again came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons which he promptly destroyed. Learning that there were additional wounded marines 50 yards further along the trail, he braved a withering hail of enemy mortar and small-arms fire to continue onward. As he reached the position where the leading marines had fallen, he was suddenly confronted with a bold frontal attack by 30 to 40 enemy.
Totally disregarding his safety, he calmly established a position in the middle of the trail and raked the advancing enemy with devastating machine-gun fire. His weapon rendered ineffective, he picked up an enemy submachine gun and, together with a pistol seized from a fallen comrade, continued his lethal fire until the enemy force had withdrawn. Having exhausted his ammunition except for a grenade which he hurled at the enemy; he then rejoined his platoon.
MSgt. Pittman's daring initiative, bold fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty inflicted many enemy casualties, disrupted the enemy attack, and saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades.
We feel that this is a non-controversial name--in fact, one that reflects great credit on our San Joaquin County community, and which will serve as an inspiration to the clinic's staff and to the veterans whom they will serve.
Please join me in honoring the incredible life of Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC (Ret) and signing onto the letter of support to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Thank you for your support of America's disabled veterans and their survivors. Sincerely, Michael Kerr,
Commander. Daniel Contreras,
DAV National 2nd Vice Commander Adjutant|CEO. Gerald G. Wilson, Jr.,
Legislative Director.
I again thank Representative McNerney for championing this legislation and for his hard work in helping to make this new VA clinic in San Joaquin Valley a reality. It will serve Stockton-area veterans well for decades to come.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I again ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6722, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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