[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. WALLACE C. ARNOLD

                                 ______


                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American, an outstanding Army officer, and a great individual: Maj. 
Gen. Wallace C. Arnold, known to his many friends as Wally. This month 
Wally Arnold will complete 35 years of dedicated service to his 
country. Major General Arnold was born here in Washington, DC, and 
raised in Warrenton, VA.
  Today he serves as the assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel. 
This is the capstone of a remarkable career which he started in 1957 
when he entered college at Hampton Institute and enrolled in the 
Reserve Officer's Training Corps [ROTC]. Upon graduation in 1960, he 
was awarded a bachelors of science degree in industrial education and a 
commission as a air defense artillery 2d lieutenant. His first 
assignment was to Korea, where he served as a platoon leader in the 2d 
Battalion 71st Air Defense Artillery. Upon returning to the United 
States, he served with the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort 
Meade, MD as the headquarters battery commander.
  In 1966, Wally Arnold was transferred overseas for 4 years. First he 
served with the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Okinawa, where he 
began his long service in the personnel area. After 3 years, then 
Captain Arnold was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam. Here he made 
a major contribution while serving as the chief, psychological 
operations division, XXIV Corps in support of several Republic of 
Vietnam combat units. After a short tour at Fort Bliss, TX, General 
Arnold was assigned to Washington, DC, where he served as personnel 
assignments officer.
  The Army recognized Wally Arnold's leadership abilities by selecting 
him in 1974 to command the 3d Battalion, 61st Air Defense Artillery in 
the 3d Armored Division. After a successful tour as a battalion 
commander, General Arnold again returned to the Washington area for a 
variety of staff jobs including such prestigious positions as the 
military assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army.
  The Army again recognized Wally's dynamic leadership abilities, when 
in 1982, he was selected to command the 69th Air Defense Artillery 
Brigade in Wurzburg, Germany.
  Following his successful command tour and promotion to brigadier 
general, he remained in Europe to serve in a joint billet as the 
director of personnel and administration (J1) for the U.S. European 
Command. Despite the decline in the value of the dollar against foreign 
currencies, Major General Arnold was able to sustain and in many areas 
improve the morale, welfare, and recreational facilities available to 
soldiers and their families. He worked closely with the Department of 
Defense Dependent Schools Systems to ensure continuation of quality 
education for the family members of soldiers assigned in Europe.
  In 1987 he returned to the United States to begin his long 
association with the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He served first 
as the commander of the First ROTC Region, encompassing the eastern 
seaboard of the United States. Here his dynamic leadership style 
provided a positive role model for thousands of cadets. Throughout his 
tenure he was cited for his caring, innovative, and competent 
leadership. First ROTC Region was rated the best within Cadet Command 
in recruiting, training, and producing quality officers. Under his 
leadership the performance of historically black colleges improved 
dramatically. That First ROTC Region's Advanced Camp was rated the best 
by Cadet Command is directly attributable to his leadership and 
managerial skill. He also worked closely with the Junior ROTC Programs 
to improve their activities and focus on citizenship.
  In May 1990, now Major General Arnold assumed command of the entire 
Cadet Command. He was an inspirational leader, strategic thinker, and 
role model for all. He oversaw a reasoned and well balanced drawdown of 
Senior ROTC units across the country that left Cadet Command better 
able to accomplish its mission, while at the same time, he promoted and 
implemented the rapid expansion of Junior ROTC.
  In his final assignment at the Department of the Army, Major General 
Arnold was a sage advisor to two Deputy Chiefs of Staff for Personnel. 
In fact, he served as the acting DCSPER for 5 months last year. In his 
final assignment, he oversaw the final drawdown policies that were used 
to properly shape the officer and enlisted forces. He also contributed 
significantly to the development and funding of personnel automation 
information systems that will improve the Army for years to come.
  Major General Arnold's career has been marked by selfless service, 
devotion to duty, and dedication to soldiers and their families. His 
outstanding performance of duty and significant contributions to 
America's Army mark him as a first rate officer. I am sure my 
colleagues join me in wishing him and his wife the best in their 
retirement in the Tidewater area of Virginia.


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