The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING VETERAN HENRY R. CASTRO
______
HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO
of texas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of World War II and Vietnam veteran, Mr. Henry R. Castro. A San Antonio native, Mr. Castro has dedicated his life to service, community, and country. Please join me in recognizing the story of this extraordinary American.
Henry R. Castro was born on April 26, 1927. The son of a butcher and grocer, Juan and Maria Castro, he grew up learning about hard work. On June 12, 1945, Mr. Castro enlisted into the United States Army and was assigned to the 78th Infantry Division, being deployed to Berlin, Germany. On November 29, 1946, Mr. Castro was honorably discharged as a Private First Class under HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry. As Cold War tensions rose, Mr. Castro heard the call of duty and reenlisted into the U.S. Army on August 21, 1948, and shortly thereafter was deployed to Trieste, Italy. There, he was assigned to the T.R.U.S.T. troops in the Italian Alps tasked with defending Trieste against then Communist Yugoslavia. He was later honorably discharged on June 27, 1950.
In 1951, Mr Castro was hired on at Kelly Air Force Base serving as a Civil Service Employee and later at Brooks Air Force Base. During his civil service tenure, Mr. Castro also served in the Air Force Reserves for more than 7 years under the 433rd Troop Carrier Wing. In the summer of 1967 due to his reserve status, he was recalled into active duty during the Vietnam War and during the North Korean's capture of the U.S.S. Pueblo. He remained on active duty until his retirement date of June 1, 1984. Mr. Castro retired as a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant.
For his service in the armed forces in defense of our nation, Mr. Castro received the following: World War II Victory Medal and Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar, Army of Occupation Medal Germany, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Devices, American Campaign Medal, European--African--Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Three Devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent someone of such high caliber. On behalf of Texas' 20th Congressional District, I thank Mr. Castro for his commitment and patriotism. I also thank Mr. Castro for everything he has done in-service to our great Nation. May God bless him and his loved ones.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 114(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 114(2)
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