Corporal Jerry K. Crump Va Clinic
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5481) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, as the ``Corporal Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic'', as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5481
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY- BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA. The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic''. Any reference to such clinic in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic.
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Mr. TAKANO. 5481, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Master Sergeant J.K. Crump, a native of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and a Korean war veteran who embodied the courage and indomitable fighting spirit of our Nation's Armed Forces.
This bill, H.R. 5481, as amended, will name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, the Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic.
I thank my colleague, Representative Virginia Foxx, for introducing this bill.
In early September 1951, Master Sergeant Crump, then an 18-year-old Army rifleman, and fellow members of Company L of the 3rd Infantry Division were attacked by invading Chinese forces near Chorwon, Korea. In the firefight that ensued, Master Sergeant Crump left cover twice: first, to retrieve a wounded comrade, and then again to recapture a machine gun from advancing Chinese soldiers.
After returning to his position, an enemy grenade was flung into the foxhole that Master Sergeant Crump shared with four wounded infantrymen. With no regard for his own well-being, Master Sergeant Crump covered the explosives with his own body. The grenade detonated, but miraculously, Master Sergeant Crump survived.
The heroism that Master Sergeant Crump displayed that day more than 70 years ago undoubtedly saved the lives of fellow soldiers and rightfully earned him the Medal of Honor, our highest military decoration for valor, which President Truman awarded him in 1952.
Master Sergeant Crump went on to serve another 26 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in 1976. He died a year later and was interred at the Mount Zion Community Cemetery in Cornelius, North Carolina.
Master Sergeant Crump's actions in combat were emblematic of the selfless sacrifice and devotion to duty that so many who don the uniform of our great Nation display. He, and the generation of those who served alongside him, truly represented the best ideals of our country.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 5481, as amended, from The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans. The American Legion, Department of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, March 16, 2022.
Dear Congresswoman Foxx, It is with a great deal of pride that I endorse the naming of the Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, after the Medal of Honor recipient and North Carolina native, Jerry Crump.
I am personally familiar with the facility in Forest City. I receive my medical attention at that clinic. The Forest City VA clinic is a wonderful facility, and the staff is outstanding.
I have met with the American Legion members in Forest City and in Henrietta, NC who have advocated for the renaming to the Jerry Crump VA Medical Clinic. There are a few older American Legion members that remember attending school with Jerry. The communities of Forest City and Henrietta are proud of the native son and have often advocated for this honor. The American Legion Department of North Carolina does whole heartily support the renaming of the Forest City VA clinic after Medal of Honor Recipient Jerry Crump.
The honor of naming a Forest City VA Clinic after this courageous American would be a fitting tribute to Corporal Crump. Respectfully, Jim Quinlan, The American Legion, Department of North Carolina. ____ Veterans of Foreign Wars, Raleigh, NC, March 10, 2022. Rep. Virginia Foxx, Washington, DC. Re Endorsement of naming the VA Outpatient Clinic in Forest City, NC after MOH Recipient Jerry Crump.
Dear Rep Foxx: As the State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of America, Department of North Carolina, I am writing you to express full support of the naming of the VA Outpatient Clinic in Forest City, NC, after Medal of Honor recipient and North Carolina native, Jerry Crump. Mr. Crump embodied the spirit of patriotism, valor. fidelity and selfless service needed to save the Soldiers of his Platoon from death or serious injury when they came under attack on September 6-7, 1951 during the Korean War. Mr. Crump heroically flung himself on a grenade from an enemy Soldier and shielded his comrades from the blast. Naming this VA Outpatient Clinic in his name would be a great honor to this distinguished Soldier Russell Chambers, State Commander, Department of North Carolina. ____ Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, March 8, 2022. Hon. Mark Takano, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC.
Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Mike Bost: On behalf of Disabled American Veterans, Department of North Carolina, we are honored to extend our support to the efforts of Congresswoman Virginia Foxx to designate the Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, after Medal of Honor recipient and North Carolina native, Cpl. Jerry Crump.
During the Korean War, on September 7, 1951, Cpl. Crump embodied outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty to save his brothers in arms. His selflessness and gallantry inspired his comrades to aggressively counterattack and drive enemy forces from their perimeter. In memorializing his name may everyone who enters this facility remember that all gave some and some gave all. Sincerely, Vertis R. Richardson, III, Department Commander. Janice Weathers, Department Adjutant.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5481, as amended. By doing so, we will bestow a befitting name on this facility in Rutherford County, North Carolina, where so many military veterans receive top-notch medical care.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am very sorry that our good friend, Virginia Foxx, is not here, but I thank Ranking Member Foxx for bringing to our attention the amazing story of this American hero.
I know the gentleman from Texas shares the growing emotion that I feel as we recognize these American heroes. It is truly remarkable.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I likewise urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5481, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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