WASHINGTON — Legislation to honor a Marshall County Medal of Honor recipient has passed Congress and goes to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville’s and Katie Britt’s legislation Tuesday to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville in honor of Marshall County native and Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ola Lee Mize.
“Colonel Ola Lee Mize was a true patriot who embodied the American ideals of courage, selflessness, and honor,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). “He devoted his entire life to putting country ahead of self, and showed true bravery in the face of danger time and again. Alabama is proud to call him one of our own, and it is an honor to pay tribute to his legacy by naming the Guntersville VA clinic in his honor.”
Related story: Guntersville VA clinic to be named for Medal of Honor recipient Col. Mize
Mize received the Medal of Honor while serving as a sergeant with Company K of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in the Korean War.
On June 10, 1953, his unit was manning Outpost Harry near Surang-ni, Korea, when the outpost came under heavy enemy attack. Mize organized defensive positions, rescued wounded soldiers, and engaged the enemy until reinforcements arrived about noon the next day. He was subsequently promoted to master sergeant and, on Sept. 24, 1954, awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Outpost Harry.
After the Korean War, Mize joined the Special Forces and completed three tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired as a colonel in 1981. In his career, Mize was also awarded two Legion of Merits, the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. He died in 2014.
“I’m thrilled to see this legislation honoring an outstanding Alabamian and one our nation’s true heroes pass the Senate. Alongside every member of the Alabama delegation, I look forward to seeing this quickly signed into law,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “The Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Guntersville will continue to have a tremendous impact on our state by strengthening our VA health care system and providing critical medical services to veterans and their families.”
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives last year and it passed without objection in September.
”It is truly an honor to be able to recognize Colonel Ola Lee Mize, an American hero, by renaming a VA clinic that will help so many other American heroes,” Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said. “Colonel Mize’s life and military career exhibited what it means to live a life of service to something greater than yourself.
“I hope that naming the VA clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, after Colonel Mize will serve his memory well and inspire future generations of Alabamians to lead lives of service.”
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