[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           HONORING VICE ADMIRAL THOMAS J. KILCLINE, USN RET.

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 24, 1995
  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Vice Admiral 
Thomas J. Kilcline, USN (Retired) on the eve of his retirement from his 
position as President of the Retired Officers Association. Because of 
his many accomplishments, I consider it appropriate to formally 
recognize him for his more than 50 years of service to this Nation.
  Admiral Kilcline was born in Detroit, MI, on December 9, 1925. He 
enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, graduated from the U.S. 
Naval Academy in 1949, and was designated a naval aviator in November 
1950 after which he flew with VR-5 until 1953. Admiral Kilcline 
attended the Naval Postgraduate School and later Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology, where he earned a masters degree in 
aeronautical engineering in 1956.
  He then joined Heavy Attack Squadron Nine, serving on the Saratoga 
and Ranger. In 1959, he was assigned to the staff of the Commander 
Sixth Fleet. He completed the Command and Staff Course at the Navel War 
College and in 1962 completed test pilot school. He was later assigned 
as coordinator of test programs for all attack aircraft at the Naval 
Air Test Center. In January 1965, Kilcline reported to Heavy Attack 
Squadron Eleven (VAH-11) aboard the Forestall. He commanded an RA5C 
squadron deployed to the Vietnam theater. He returned to the staff of 
the Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in August 1967, and 
a year later was assigned as operations officer and later executive 
officer aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during operations off 
Vietnam. He then became program manager for acquisition and support of 
the RA-5C aircraft, Naval Air Systems Command. In October 1970, he was 
named Director of Liaison with the House of Representatives under the 
Navy Office of Legislative Affairs.
  From August 1972 until May 1974, Kilcline was commanding officer, 
Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland. He was then assigned as 
director of aviation officer distribution, aviation captain detailer 
and later, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Officer Distribution and 
Education. In August 1975, he assumed command of Naval Base Subic Bay 
with duties as Commander In Chief Pacific Representative in the 
Philippines and Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines. He became 
Chief, Legislative Affairs in February 1978 and in July 1981, was 
assigned as Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He retired 
from the Navy in 1983.
  His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal; the Legion of 
Merit with three gold stars; the Bronze Star; the Air Medal; and awards 
from the governments of the Philippines and the Republic of Vietnam.
  Following retirement, Admiral Kilcline formed a military and 
congressional consulting firm which he disestablished when he became 
TROA president in December 1986. Through his stewardship, The Retired 
Officers Association played a pivotal role in convincing Congress to 
enact several legislative initiatives to maintain readiness and improve 
the quality of life for all members of the military community--active, 
reserve and retired, plus their families and survivors. I won't 
describe all of his accomplishments, but will briefly focus on a few to 
illustrate the breadth of his concern for military people.
  Under his direction, TROA supported strengthening the underpinning of 
the Montgomery GI. Bill and thus provided a solid foundation for our 
Nation's future leaders by placing the wherewithal for a college 
education on the horizons of more than 1,000,000 young men and women 
who otherwise might have been denied that opportunity. He was ever 
mindful of the adverse effects on morale and retention caused by broken 
commitments and inadequate compensation and forcefully championed the 
causes of fairness and equity. His leadership efforts to preserve the 
long-standing commitment to lifetime care in military health care 
facilities, to fight perennial threats to retiree Cost of Living 
Adjustments and to provide adequate military pay raises are some of his 
other significant contributions. Most recently, he fought and won the 
battle for a transition plan that provides a comprehensive benefits 
package for those personnel and their families who are forced out of 
active service as a result of the force structure drawdown that, 
hopefully, is in its final stages.
  One of Tom's added strengths has been his lovely wife of 44 years, 
the former Dornell Thompson of Pensacola, Florida. Dornell has stood 
steadfastly at his side, championing the cause of military people, 
particularly their families and survivors, everywhere. For these 
contributions, we owe her a debt of gratitude, as well.
  Tom and Dornell live in McLean, Virginia. They have had four 
children: Captain Tom Jr., an F-14 pilot now in the Navy Chair at the 
National War College; Lieutenant Patrick, lost in an F-14 accident off 
the USS Constellation; Lieutenant Kathleen, a navy doctor killed in an 
auto accident; and Mary, wife of Commander bob Novak, a P-3 pilot 
assigned as a program manager in the Naval Air Systems Command in 
Washington, D.C.
  I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation for his numerous 
contributions to military people everywhere and my best wishes for 
continued success in all of his endeavors.


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