June 25, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 117 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING PFC ROBERT WALKER, U.S. MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2020

  Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding 
work of PFC Robert Walker who celebrates 100 years of life on June 25, 
2020.
   Mr. Walker hails from Spokane, Washington, and worked many jobs 
before a call to serve his country during its hour of need inspired him 
to join the Marine Corps. After completing basic training and being 
assigned to the 4th Marine Division, he was sent to the Pacific Theatre 
where he fought in the battle for Iwo Jima from February 19, until 
March 4, 1945.
   On March 4, 1945, Mr. Walker was severely wounded by shrapnel and 
immediately evacuated to Hawaii to be given proper medical care. On 
September 28, 1945, Mr. Walker was discharged from the Marines and 
began his civilian life again. His wife of over 50 years, Betty, whom 
he met in San Francisco where he spent most of his life prior to the 
war, was waiting for him when he returned.
   The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest and most ferociously 
fought battles of World War II. Mr. Walker was one of nearly 70,000 
Marines who bravely battled entrenched Japanese forces knowing full 
well that casualties would be high.
   For his service, Mr. Walker was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, 
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with star, the American Campaign Medal, 
and the World War II Victory Medal. After his decorated service in the 
Marine Corps, Mr. Walker began working for the California Department of 
Motor Vehicles where he retired from a supervising position.
   Mr. Walker has said that one of the happiest days of his life was 
when he was released from the Marine Corps, but he will also testify 
that his time in the Corps changed and defined his life. The phrase, 
``once a Marine, always a Marine'' comes to mind when one thinks of the 
valiant heart and storied life of our friend, Robert Francis Walker.

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