[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7634-S7635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         TRIBUTE TO VICE ADM. THOMAS J. KILCLINE, USN (RETIRED)

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President. Today I rise to pay tribute to my 
longtime friend and mentor, Vice Adm. Thomas J. Kilcline, USN 
(Retired). We served together in the Navy's legislative affairs office 
in the late 1970's and over the intervening years I have grown to 
respect him as an insightful leader, dedicated humanitarian, and sage 
counselor. On the eve of his retirement from his position as President 
of the Retired Officers Association, I considered it extremely 
appropriate to formally recognize him for his more than 50 years of 
service to this Nation.
  Tom Kilcline was born in Detroit, MI, on December 9, 1925. He 
enlisted in the 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 U.S.S. 
Saratoga (CV-60) and U.S.S. Ranger (CV-61). In 1959, he was assigned to 
the staff of the Commander Sixth Fleet. He completed the command and 
staff course at the Naval 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, Tom reported to Heavy Attack Squadron Eleven (VAH-
11) aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal (CV-59). 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 U.S.S. Ticonderoga  (CVA-14) during combat 
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, Tom was commanding officer, Navy Air 
Station, Patuxent River, MD. 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, 
[[Page S7635]] 
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 
the Retired Officers Association 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 will not describe all of his 
accomplishments, but will briefly focus on a few to illustrate the 
breadth of his concern for military people of all uniforms.
  One particularly noteworthy effort resulted from his unwavering 
commitment to affordable health care for the military community. In 
1988, after assessing the onerous and ill-advised seniors' only surtax, 
associated with the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act, he worked 
closely with me and other Members of Congress and threw the full 
resources of his organization behind the successful effort to repeal 
that act--a feat that has become a case study in grassroots activism. 
Likewise, under his direction, the Retired Officers Association 
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.
  Finally, 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 for retiree cost of living 
adjustments, and to provide adequate military pay raises are some of 
his other significant contributions. Most recently, he fought for 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.
  It's also most appropriate to recognize Tom's wife of 44 years, the 
former Dornell Thompson of Pensacola, FL. Dornell has stood steadfastly 
at his side, championing the cause of military people, particularly 
their families and survivors, everywhere. For her vital contribution, 
we owe her a debt of gratitude.
  I wish to extend to this great American and dear friend a grateful 
nation's thanks, our best wishes for a long life, and fair winds and 
following seas.


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