[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 90 (Monday, June 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7705-S7706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             TRIBUTE TO COL. RAYMOND W. O'KEEFE, U.S. ARMY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I would like to congratulate 
Col. Raymond W. O'Keefe, a native son of Maine, who retired from the 
U.S. Army on June 1, 1995, after a distinguished career of faithful 
service to our Nation spanning 26 years. Throughout those 26 years of 
service, Ray O'Keefe exemplified the true spirit of the United States 
cavalryman: ``honor was his guide, resourcefulness his strength, and a 
passion for duty was his chief characteristic.''
  Colonel O'Keefe was commissioned through the Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army following his 
graduation from the University of Maine at Orono in June 1969. Over the 
course of his career, Colonel O'Keefe served in a variety of 
challenging troop and staff assignments in the United States, Germany, 
Korea, and Vietnam. Following completion of the Armor Officer's Basic 
Course at Fort Knox, then-Lieutenant O'Keefe reported for duty with the 
1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, assigned to the elite 82nd Airborne 
Division, at Fort Bragg, NC. Lieutenant O'Keefe practiced his craft and 
honed his skills while serving in a variety of positions at the troop 
level.
  He arrived in Pleiku, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, in 
December of 1971, and assumed command of D Troop, 17th Cavalry. the Ia 
Drang Valley, sight of one of the first large battles of the war, was 
only thirty miles distant. One of the last major fights of the war, the 
Easter Offensive in March, 
[[Page S7706]] 1972, involved this same area, and Ray O'Keefe was 
there.
  His next assignment brought him to a post well-known in the annals of 
cavalry lore--Fort Riley, KS--the birthplace of the famous 7th Cavalry 
Regiment. Already an experienced combat veteran, Ray served with 
distinction as a troop commander and operations officer with the 1st 
Squadron, 4th Cavalry, refining his skills, coaching, and teaching the 
cavalrymen and officers entrusted to his care.
  Obviously, Ray O'Keefe stood out from his peers, for as an armor 
officer he was selected to attend Infantry Officers Advanced Course at 
the U.S. Army Infantry School. Selection to an advanced course of 
another branch is an indication that an officer has mastered his basic 
branch skills and is being groomed for positions of much greater 
responsibility. His follow-on assignment as a staff plans officer with 
the Joint Personnel Staff at Headquarters, 8th U.S. Army, in Yong San, 
Korea, underscored the high regard in which he was held by his 
superiors. The assignment provided Ray valuable experience working with 
senior officers and those of the other Services and would serve him 
well in future assignments.
  Following promotion to major ahead of his peers, and with a Master of 
Science degree in Educational Administration in hand, Ray O'Keefe 
returned to New England. Assigned as the Assistant Professor of 
Military Science at the University of New Hampshire, he excelled as an 
instructor of young men and women. Those entrusted with attracting and 
developing our Army's future leaders have a particularly important 
responsibility. Ray O'Keefe truly understood this responsibility and 
more than met the challenge.
  As a field grade officer, Ray continued with his service in a series 
of increasingly challenging assignments, this time in Germany. The cold 
war was at its height, and deterrence was the keystone of our defense 
policy. Trained and ready, Army forces provided NATO's first line of 
defense in Europe against the Warsaw Pact. Serving 1 year as executive 
officer of the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor, in Aschaffenburg, followed by 
almost 3 years on the Operations and Plans staff of the 3rd Infantry 
Division in Wurzburg, then-Major O'Keefe was instrumental in 
successfully bringing the M1 Abrams main battle tank to the division. 
Personally selected by the commanding general as chief of training for 
the division, Ray soon became the recognized expert in Europe on 
fielding and training for the M1 tank.
  Battalion command is a challenge reserved for only the Army's most 
capable and most promising officers. In June of 1984, then-Lieutenant 
Colonel O'Keefe's demonstrated performance and potential resulted in 
his selection to command the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, a unit rich 
tradition. From its battalion colors fly streamers emblazoned with 
names we associate with gallantry, courage, sacrifice: Little Big Horn, 
Leyte, Korea. Equipped with tanks, helicopters, armored personnel 
carriers, and artillery, the division cavalry squadron is perhaps one 
of the most lethal fighting organizations within the Army and one of 
the most challenging to effectively command. Its mission was one of the 
cold war's most difficult and sensitive--patrolling the border between 
freedom and tyranny in Europe. Under Ray O'Keefe's expert hand, the 
troopers of the 3rd Squadron patrolled the intra-German border 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week. Tough, realistic training and competent, 
confident leadership were rewarded in 1985 when the 3rd Squadron 
captured the prestigious Flynn Cup, awarded to the best border squadron 
in the VII Corps. Through sustained superior performance, Ray O'Keefe 
proved he had what it took to command and care for 1,200 soldiers and 
their families.
  The Joint Staff provided Ray O'Keefe another opportunity to excel. 
Assigned as Chief of the Operations, Training, and Exercise Branch in 
the National Military Command Center, he played a key role in every 
world crisis for almost 2 years. Colonel O'Keefe developed and wrote 
the required operational concept for what was to become the automated 
Crisis Management System, now the heart of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
crisis management response. The impact of this contribution to our 
Nation cannot be overstated.
  Colonel O'Keefe culminated his service as Chief, Congressional 
Activities Division, Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. In this 
capacity, Ray once again set the standard preparing senior Army 
leadership for their personal interactions with Congress, including 
confirmations, congressional testimony, and meetings with Members of 
Congress. Ray also supervised preparation and publication of the Army's 
annual Posture Statement and Focus periodical. Both General Sullivan 
and Secretary West have come to rely on Ray O'Keefe's sound judgment, 
keen insight, and sage advice. In this assignment, as in all the others 
throughout his career, Ray has been in the vanguard working to ensure 
that America's Army maintains, the warrior's edge.
  Col. Raymond W. O'Keefe is indeed the quintessential leader. His 
selfless service, commitment to excellence, and caring professionalism 
have continually provided inspiration to those with whom he has served. 
This exceptional officer truly personifies those traits of courage, 
competency, and integrity that our Nation has come to expect from our 
Army officers. When he was needed, he was there. He has served our 
Nation well, and our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for 
continued success go with him.


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