Home California Bill Would Name New French Camp VA Clinic in Honor of Sergeant Richard Pittman

Bill Would Name New French Camp VA Clinic in Honor of Sergeant Richard Pittman

Press Release

by ECT
Congressman Jerry McNerney

Stockton, CA – Representatives Jerry McNerney (CA-09) and Josh Harder (CA-10) introduced H.R. 6722, a bill to designate the new Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) under construction in French Camp, CA as the “Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic” in recognition of Marine Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman.

Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966, his unit was moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and gun fire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many wounded comrades, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.

“Not only will this clinic enable veterans to receive care closer to home, it will also honor an American hero in his hometown,” said Congressman McNerney. “Master Sergeant Pittman was the embodiment of bravery and service, and he will forever be memorialized by this facility. It has been my privilege to work alongside the veterans of our community to fight to bring this VA clinic to our area, and I want to thank those who served on the naming committee for their time and dedication to this project. I am honored to introduce this legislation to commemorate the legacy of Master Sergeant Pittman and bring us one step closer to opening the doors of this facility.”

“Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman was a hero and the very best the Central Valley has to offer,” said Congressman Harder. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to rename our clinic in his honor. Seeing his name on the wall will remind our entire community of the incredible and selfless service of our men and women in uniform.”

Since coming to Washington, Congressman McNerney has led the efforts for the development of the new French Camp clinic. From working with federal and local officials on the selection of the building site to securing the federal funding for construction, Congressman McNerney has pushed to expedite the project by sending letters to authorities, meeting frequently with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, and urging that regular correspondence and updates be made available to his office and the public. He’s also met with veterans over the years who have shared their stories about the need for closer access to healthcare services – including spending the day with a Stockton veteran, traveling to and from the VA in Palo Alto, and experiencing firsthand the arduous eight-hour journey that local veterans often undertake to receive the care they need.

In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee of five veterans to collect and review the submitted names and provide a recommendation for the naming of the facility. The VA CBOC Naming Advisory Committee was comprised of the following five veterans: Gail Belmont, Army Veteran from Valley Springs; Cary Martin, Stockton Air Force Veteran; Ron Green, Retired San Joaquin County Veterans Service Officer and Navy Veteran; Lanny Bauer, Marine Corps Veteran of Stockton; and Sam Pachuca, Stockton Veterans of Foreign Wars Luneta Post 52.

A statement from the VA CBOC Naming Advisory Committee stated: “Master Sergeant Richard Pittman’s bravery during an ambush attack saved countless fellow service members and earned him the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam war. In total he served our nation 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. As we debated the naming of this important new addition to our community, recognizing his heroic efforts was top of mind and reinforced by an outpouring of community support. We want to thank Congressman McNerney for his work to bring a VA clinic to our area and thank both Congressmen McNerney and Harder for introducing legislation to honor this American hero.”

The French Camp VA CBOC will be part of the VA Palo Alto Health Care system. Lisa Howard, Director for VA Palo Alto Health Care, had this to say of name choice: “Thank you to Congressmen McNerney and Harder, as well as our local Veterans for initiating the legislative process to honor a local hero. VA Palo Alto Health Care System takes very seriously our responsibility to serve America’s finest, and I am particularly grateful to have the clinic named for a selfless hero like Master Sergeant Pittman. Our entire VA staff and volunteer team look forward to making him and his family proud by providing excellent care for our Veterans.”

Pamela Pittman, wife of Master Sergeant Pittman, also praised the name choice, stating: “Richard “Rick” Pittman, Retired Marine and Medal of Honor Recipient was born and raised in French Camp, California. He was always a strong supporter of the military and especially his troops. Being an excellent public speaker, he was happiest talking to young Marines and school children. There is huge support from Veteran groups, veterans, and fellow citizens across the US following the naming of Stockton’s new VA facility after Rick, as he was well known in the area.  As his wife I know he would have been exceedingly proud of this honor. It will help perpetuate the legacy of the Medal as well as conveying patriotism, honor, and integrity.”

Additional stakeholder support includes:

“It is my belief that this new VA facility will greatly benefit veterans from all the surrounding communities. Naming it after Medal of Honor recipient Richard Pittman will not only be a great honor for him and his family, but also to the large community of veterans represented by the 11th district of the American Legion Department of California. This act will serve as an inspiration to serve our great nation for generations to come, and it will further our commitment to remember and never forget this individual’s service to a grateful nation. I thank Congressmen McNerney and Harder for their efforts.” – Dave Smith, District Commander, 11th District, American Legion Department of California

“We in the 11th District of the American Legion Department of California are very happy to hear that the new VA facility under construction in French Camp will be named after Richard Pittman, USMC Medal of Honor recipient from Stockton, CA, whose dedication to our country and to his fellow Marines will be a shining legacy and example for every veteran and their family who walk through those doors. Thank you to the members of Congress for this choice.” – Jeffrey Freeman, Former District Commander, 11th District, American Legion Department of California

Naming a federal facility requires an act of Congress, which has certain requirements for such a name. If the facility is named after a person, that person must be deceased. In addition, the person must have been a veteran who was instrumental in the construction or operation of the facility, awarded the Medal of Honor, or performed military service of an exemplary character. The deceased individual may also have been a member of Congress who was directly involved with the construction of the facility or a VA Administrator or Secretary, the Secretary of a service branch, or civilian or military official of comparable or higher position, or someone who has performed outstanding service for veterans.

Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.

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1 comment

Colonel Steve Feb 24, 2022 - 6:50 pm

I entered the ne of Johnny O Brooks and his wife Florence to tie today’s veterans with the support of the family. She gave 41 years of her n life caring for her Viet Nam wound husband who suffered immensely from those injuries.
My friend and fellow Franklin High graduate Rick Pittman is the epitome of a hero and an from humble beginnings he sacrificed for his teammates in battle.
May God Bless Rick Pittman and all American warriors.

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