Post Office to Serve as Reminder of Local Medal of Honor Recipient

Shuster, Platts Bill Commemorates "Blackhawk Down" Hero

Congressman Bill Shuster and Todd Platts' legislation to name a Newville post office after American hero Randall Shughart passed the House of Representatives today by a voice vote.  Sergeant First Class Shughart received the military's highest decoration - the Medal of Honor - posthumously for returning to a hostile environment to save a stranded comrade.  H.R. 2062 is cosponsored by the entire Pennsylvania delegation.

During an operation in Mogadishu, a downed U.S. helicopter left soldiers in a hostile area with insurgents closing in quickly.  Shughart and his team leader volunteered to be inserted knowing they only had a rifle and a pistol to protect themselves.  They were dropped one-hundred meters south of the crash site, worked their way through the urban terrain and reached the helicopter.  After establishing a perimeter to protect the stranded pilot and killing an undetermined number of combatants, Randall Shughart was killed by enemy fire.  His actions saved the pilot's life.

"This entire process has been a group effort.  We've worked with Cumberland County officials from start to finish because Shughart's selfless commitment to his country and fellow soldiers deserves recognition," said Shuster.  "Naming the post office after this American hero will be a reminder to the community of Randall Shughart's brave actions when his nation called."

"It is fitting that the U.S. House of Representatives today commemorated the heroic actions of Medal of Honor recipient Randall Shughart," Platts said.  "The unparalleled liberties and freedoms that all Americans enjoy would not be but for the selfless and courageous sacrifice of true American heroes such as Sergeant First Class Shughart.  We are forever indebted to him and all of our Nation's men and women in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.  I was privileged to be a part of this effort."

The bill will name the post office at 57 West Main Street "The Randall D. Shughart United States Post Office."  Sergeant First Class Shughart's actions were highlighted in the movie "Blackhawk Down."