Jefferson Reporter

Marshall County native and Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Ola Lee Mize will soon have a Veterans Affairs clinic named in his honor. The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation introduced by Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama.

Senator Britt expressed her enthusiasm for the legislation, stating, "I’m thrilled to see this legislation honoring an outstanding Alabamian and one our nation’s true heroes pass the Senate. Alongside every member of the Alabama delegation, I look forward to seeing this quickly signed into law." She added that naming the facility after Colonel Mize would continue to impact Alabama by enhancing the VA healthcare system and providing essential medical services to veterans and their families.

Senator Tuberville praised Colonel Mize as a patriot who exemplified American values such as courage, selflessness, and honor. He remarked, "Colonel Ola Lee Mize was a true patriot who embodied the American ideals of courage, selflessness, and honor. He devoted his entire life to putting country ahead of self and showed true bravery in the face of danger time and again."

The companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Robert Aderholt and passed without objection in September.

Colonel Ola Lee Mize was born in Marshall County, Alabama. He earned the Medal of Honor while serving with Company K of the 15th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. Afterward, he joined Special Forces for three tours in Vietnam before retiring as a Colonel in 1981.