Marshall County native and Medal of Honor recipient known for courage in Korean and Vietnam wars
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04) and the Alabama delegation in an effort to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, in honor of Alabama native and Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Ola Lee Mize. The members sent a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to officially begin the naming process.
“Colonel Ola Lee Mize was a true patriot who embodied the American ideals of courage, selflessness, and honor,” said Senator Tuberville. “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 facility in his honor.”
“I am proud to introduce to the House of Representatives legislation that honors an American hero from Marshall County, Alabama. COL Mize embodied the long-standing American principles of service to country, dedication to family, and commitment to hard work,” said Congressman Aderholt.
Full text of the letter can be found below.
September 14, 2023
Dear Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader Jeffries, and Minority Leader McConnell:
We, the Members of the Alabama Delegation, write in support of a bill naming the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, as the “Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.” COL Mize truly embodied the American principles of service to country, dedication to family, and commitment to hard work.
COL Mize was a native of Marshall County, Alabama. He received the Medal of Honor while serving as a Sergeant with Company K of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army, in the Korean War. After the Korean War, COL Mize joined the Special Forces and completed three tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired as a Colonel in 1981.
This bill features the support of the entire Alabama Delegation, and support from the Alabama chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.
COL Mize is an inspiration and hero to the State of Alabama and our United States. He is well- deserving of this recognition.
Sincerely,
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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