[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E778-E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. GARRY A. SCHNELZER, USAF

                                 ______


                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 1995
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, a friend of the Congress and a 
long time leader in this nation's space and ballistic missile defense 
programs is retiring from the U.S. Air Force on March 31 of this year, 
Maj. Gen. Garry Schnelzer. His most recent position has been as the Air 
Force program executive officer for space, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, DC. In this 
position, he has provided program management for the development and 
procurement of the major Air Force space and launch systems and Air 
Force ballistic missile defense programs.
  General Schnelzer has had a long and distinguished career of over 30 
years of military service. After being commissioned through the Bowling 
Green State University Reserve Officer Training Corps as a 
distinguished graduate in July 1964, he started his military career by 
successfully completing pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, TX. 
He served in a variety of flying duties cumulating over 3,300 flying 
hours and completing over 300 combat missions in Vietnam. For his 
valor, courage and heroism, he received a Distinguished Flying Cross 
with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 17 oak leaf clusters and the 
Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars. Following his tour in 
Vietnam, General Schnelzer embarked on a mixture of flying and 
development and acquisition tours, which included assignments to the 
Cambridge Research Laboratories, as a C-130 pilot at Dyess Air Force 
Base, and as a program manager for the successfully demonstrated 
antisatellite weapon system. He then held a string of jobs of 
increasing responsibility with the Strategic Defense Initiative 
Organization ending as deputy director [acting]. Following a short 
assignment at Los Angeles Air Force Base as special assistant launch 
matters, he assumed his current position in February 1990.
  Due directly to his efforts, the nation has seen its space heavy 
launch capability restored, the deployment of the Global Positioning 
System, the launch of the first Milstar satellite and the initiation of 
an advanced space based missile detection and warning system. These 
systems are the force multipliers which ensured our dominance in Desert 
Storm and 
[[Page E779]]  will ensure our continued superiority in the 21st 
century.
  In addition to the combat awards I mentioned earlier, General 
Schnelzer has received other numerous awards and decorations, including 
the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service 
Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service 
Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry 
Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  General Schnelzer plans to answer a higher calling and will be 
working for the Episcopalian Bishop in San Antonio. There, he will be 
coordinating the activities of all the Episcopalian churches in south 
Texas. On behalf of my colleagues and the congressional staff who have 
known and worked with General Schnelzer we wish him and his wife Helen 
the very best in their future endeavors.


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