On the recordJune 27, 2013
Today, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz of Junction City, Kansas, who died on June 8 at the age of 95. A native Kansan and Kansas State University graduate, Dick went through the sixth jump school class the Army ever had, becoming one of its first paratroopers. He was quickly promoted to be the Army's youngest battalion commander and led his battalion throughout its historic combat operations in Europe during World War II. Dick ended the war with a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. During his lifelong Army career, including nearly 37 years of active duty, he also received the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit, among many other awards, promotions, and commands. Dick retired to Junction City in 1975 but remained active in his community and at Fort Riley. Among other activities, he was on the board of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, president of the Fort Riley-Central Kansas Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army, and chaired Junction City's Economic Redevelopment Study Commission. Most recently, the General Richard J. Seitz Elementary School was named in his honor on the post at Fort Riley. In short, General Seitz epitomized what it means when we refer to him and his peers as America's Greatest Generation. ____________________
