[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 71 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         COL. THOMAS M. McNISH

                                 ______


                         HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 1994

  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Col. Thomas M. McNish is 
retiring from his position as the Command Surgeon, Office of Air Force 
Reserve, Pentagon, Washington, DC, where he was responsible for overall 
programming, planning, management, and evaluation of the Air Force 
Reserve Medical Services.
  In June 1960, following 1 year at North Carolina State University, 
Colonel McNish entered the Air Force Academy, and graduated in June 
1964. He entered pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, AZ, and 
received his wings in September 1965. After completing advanced pilot 
training in the F-105D at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, Colonel McNish was 
assigned to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in June 1966. 
He flew 45 combat missions over North Vietnam before being shot down 
and captured near Hanoi on September 4, 1966. In March 1973, he was 
repatriated after 6\1/2\ years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.
  That same summer he entered pre-medicine classes at Emory University 
and, 1 year later, enrolled in Emory University School of Medicine, 
graduating in June 1978. While training as an intern and resident in 
the Department of Family Practice at the University of Texas Health 
Center at San Antonio, he served as chief resident during the third 
year. Completing the family practice residency in 1981, Dr. McNish 
began a residency in aerospace medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, TX, 
and graduated in June 1983. He has earned a master's degree in public 
health, and is board certified by both the American Board of Family 
Practice and the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
  Prior to completing the aerospace medicine residency, Colonel McNish 
was selected for the USAF pilot-physician program and checked out in 
the T-37. In 1983, enroute from Brooks Air Force Base, TX, to his 
permanent duty station at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, SC, he completed 
lead-in fighter training on the AT-38 at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, 
followed by the A-10A upgrade program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 
AZ. He was selected as distinguished graduate in the A-10 program and 
was awarded the Top Gun trophy.
  Dr. McNish served as chief; aeromedical services and commander of the 
air transportable hospital at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, SC, from 
December 1983 to May 1985, when he was appointed commander, USAF 
Hospital Myrtle Beach from May 1985 to July 1986. While assigned to 
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, Dr. McNish maintained mission-ready 
qualification in the A-10A, flying with the 354th Tactical Fighter 
Wing, and was designated by Tactical Air Commander as the weapons 
system flight surgeon for the A-10.
  In July 1986, he was assigned as commander of the 833d Medical Group 
and the 833d Tactical Hospital at Holloman Air Force Base, NM. As 
Tactical Air Command's weapons system flight surgeon for the AT-38 and 
the F-5, he flew the AT-38 with the 479th Tactical Training Wing. In 
October 1988, he was reassigned to the Office of the Air Force Surgeon 
General as Chief, Flight Medicine. He was appointed senior military 
consultant to the Surgeon General in Aerospace Medicine, and remained 
active in research and education regarding the physiological effects of 
high G-forces on aircrew of fighter aircraft. He assumed his present 
position in June 1991.
  Colonel McNish is a command pilot and holds a chief flight surgeon 
rating. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star with two oak 
leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star 
with ``V'' device for valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 
four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force 
Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart with one 
oak leaf cluster, Prisoner of War Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, 
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Vietnam Service Medal with 15 campaign 
stars.
  Colonel McNish was promoted to Colonel September 1, 1986, with same 
date of rank, and will retire on June 30, 1994, with 30 years of highly 
distinguished service in the United States Air Force.
  Colonel McNish was born May 1, 1992, in Madison, TN, and graduated 
from Franklin High School in Franklin, NC, in May 1959. He is married 
to the former Yona Gross of Montgomery, AL. They have three children: 
Lori, Amy, and Tommy.

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