WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today introduced HR 5736 naming the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Gadsden the “Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic.”  Colonel Mize won the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army in Korea.

“The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration.  It is not awarded lightly and it’s not awarded often,” said Congressman Aderholt.  “Colonel Mize is an inspiration deserving of every accolade he receives.  I felt it was only appropriate that we recognize his service to our nation by naming this local facility after him.”

If passed by Congress, any reference to this community based out-patient clinic in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic.

According to the citation accompanying his Medal of Honor:
M/Sgt. Mize, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company K was committed to the defense of "Outpost Harry", a strategically valuable position, when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aid man, and rescued the wounded soldier. On returning to the main position he established an effective defense system and inflicted heavy casualties against attacks from determined enemy assault forces which had penetrated into trenches within the outpost area. During his fearless actions he was blown down by artillery and grenade blasts 3 times but each time he dauntlessly returned to his position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks. When enemy onslaughts ceased he took his few men and moved from bunker to bunker, firing through apertures and throwing grenades at the foe, neutralizing their positions. When an enemy soldier stepped out behind a comrade, prepared to fire, M/Sgt. Mize killed him, saving the life of his fellow soldier. After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machine gun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy's routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost. M/Sgt. Mize's valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.