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Charles George VA Medical Center
Burr Praises Passage of Bill Renaming Asheville Veterans Center
November 2, 2007
Charles George VA Medical Center, aka Charles George VA Hospital
| Charles George |
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| Medal of Honor Recipient |
(Washington, DC) Members of the U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation
to rename the Asheville VA Medical Center in honor of Private First Class Charles George, who was awarded the Medal of Honor
for his courageous actions during the Korean War.
The measure was approved by the House of Representatives in June and
now goes to President Bush for his signature.
"Fifty-five years ago Charles George gave his life
for his fellow soldiers and his country. His selfless actions in Korea earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's
highest military decoration. It is important we remember those like Private George who made the ultimate sacrifice for our
country. I am proud the VA Medical Center in Asheville will bear his name," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), the
Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Private First Class Charles George was born on the Cherokee Indian Reservation
in North Carolina to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob George in 1932. George served with Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry
Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
| Charles George: Headstone |
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| Charles George |
George received the Medal of Honor for his heroic performance during a late
night raid in Korea. During the operation his unit suffered several casualties by enemy gunfire and mortars. George and two
other soldiers were providing cover for troop withdrawal when an enemy soldier threw a grenade into their trench. George shouted
a warning to one comrade, pushed another soldier out of danger and jumped on the grenade.
Although seriously wounded he did not cry out, saving his comrades from
being detected by the enemy. He was evacuated to a forward aid station and died shortly thereafter. Private First Class Charles
George was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on March 18, 1954.
The medical center serves veterans in western North Carolina and portions
of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Source: United States Senate
Recommended
Reading: Atlas of the North
American Indian. Description: This unique resource covers the entire history, culture, tribal
locations, languages, and lifeways of Native American groups across the United States,
Canada, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Thoroughly updated, Atlas of the
North American Indian combines clear and informative text with newly drawn maps to provide the most up-to-date political and
cultural developments in Indian affairs, as well as the latest archaeological research findings on prehistoric peoples. The
new edition features several revised and updated sections, such as "Self-Determination," "The Federal and Indian Trust Relationship
and the Reservation System," "Urban Indians," "Indian Social Conditions," and "Indian Cultural Renewal." Continued below...
Other updated information includes: a revised section
on Canada, including Nunavut, the first new Canadian territory created since 1949, with a population that is 85% Inuit; the
latest statistics and new federal laws on tribal enterprises, including a new section on "Indian Gaming"; and current information
on preferred names now in use by certain tribes and groups, such as the use of "Inuit" rather than "Eskimo."
Recommended
Reading:
Cherokee Heritage
Trails Guidebook, Barbara R. Duncan and Brett Riggs, The University of North
Carolina Press (April 14, 2003) (432 pages). Description: Celebrating
the rich heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, this guide introduces readers to important sites throughout the
Cherokee homeland in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee,
and north Georgia. The book presents Cherokee
stories, folk arts, and historical information as well as visiting information for Cherokee historic sites.
VA Medical Center Asheville North Carolina History, Charles George VA Regional Medical Center, Veterans
Affairs Regional Medical Hospital, Asheville NC Details List of Services Provided Directions
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