Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5943) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Lance Corporal…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5943) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic,'' as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5943, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, H.R. 5943, as amended, which will appropriately honor the memory of Lance Corporal Dana C. Darnell as one of the more than 58,000 names etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial just down the street on The National Mall.
Like so many of those who served our great Nation, Lance Corporal Darnell's life was tragically cut short. In April 1967, his Marine platoon was ambushed by enemy forces in the Quang Tri Province in north-central Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Darnell, at just 19 years old, displayed remarkable bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity. When his platoon's mortar gunner was knocked unconscious, Lance Corporal Darnell quickly retrieved the weapon and began firing it into the enemy's position.
After exhausting his ammunition, he moved from man to man, collecting additional mortar rounds to help silence the attack. In doing so, Lance Corporal Darnell undoubtedly saved the lives of others in his platoon.
Even after being temporarily blinded by enemy fire, Lance Corporal Darnell refused to be evacuated. Instead, he quickly began caring for his wounded comrades. Two days later, Lance Corporal Darnell was killed in action.
For his extraordinary heroism, Lance Corporal Darnell was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross by President Johnson. The Greenville, South Carolina, native also received a Purple Heart and National Defense, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign Medals for his meritorious service.
I thank my colleague, Representative Timmons, for introducing this bill, which will designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Greenville, South Carolina, the Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic.
This bill has letters of support from The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Speaker, I include these letters in the Record.
[From the American Legion]
Whereas, The American Legion is always preserving the
memories in incidents in all wars and to the men, women and
families sacrifice to the country of The United States of
America will never be forgotten; and
Whereas, The American Legion has paid homage to the courage
and commitments from the United States military and the
values they have brought to our great nation; and
Whereas, the United States is a grateful nation for the
ultimate sacrifice of 58,220 United States Service members
during the war with the North Vietnamese from 1955-1975; and
Whereas, one of those conflicts was the battle of Quang Tri
Provence the northern provincial capital of The republic of
South Vietnam involving Company B, First Battalion, 9th
Marines, Third Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force April 24,
1967; and
Whereas, Greenville South Carolina's very own United States
Marine Lance Corporal Dana Cornell was engaged in a search
and destroy operation against the Viet Cong and the North
Vietnamese ambushed Cornell as they entered a field; and
Whereas, using heavy small arms Lance Corporal Dana Cornell
was knocked unconscious while seeking cover and still managed
to face extraordinary calmness in the face of enemy fire,
Cornell retrieved the mortar, and was unable to set it up
properly, due to the urgency of the situation, holding it
between his legs and steadying it from his hands, began
firing into enemy positions; and
Whereas, Cornell exhausted all of his ammunition and moved
from man to man collecting mortars until the enemy fire was
silenced and his platoon began to withdraw from the clearing
Darnell, was dragging two wounded Marines from the clearing
when he was temporary blinded; and
Whereas, Darnell showed exceptional courage staying in the
field tending to the wounded. By his outstanding courage,
exceptional fortitude, and valiant fighting spirit he served
to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United
States Naval Service; and
Whereas, It has pleased almighty God, the Great Commander
to summon his immortal and beloved comrade at arms Lance
Corporal Dana Cornell while paying the ultimate sacrifice of
his life at age 19 so that others could be free April 26,
1967; and be it finally
Resolved, That South Carolinas Largest Veterans
organization the American Legion, Department of South
Carolina Executive Committee at a specially called meeting
assembled on this day in November 10, 2022 that it supports
designating the outpatient clinic of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as the
``Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic''.
James Kvam,
Chairman, Internal Affairs.
James Jarvis,
South Carolina Department Commander.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5943, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5943, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
