[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 115 (Monday, July 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         CONGRATULATIONS GEN. CHARLES G. BOYD ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 1995
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to congratulate Gen. Charles 
G. Boyd, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the United States European 
Command, who will retire on July 31, 1995. General Boyd's career spans 
36 years, over a third of a century in which he has given distinguished 
service as a leader in the United States Air Force.
  Born in Rockwell City, IA, Chuck Boyd's roots extend deep into the 
heartland of America. He graduated from Aviation Cadet Program, 
Greenville Air Force Base, MI and was commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in July 1960. As a captain, General Boyd piloted the F-105 
``Thud'' over Vietnam, logging 105 combat missions before being shot 
down. He also interned for 7 years as a prisoner of war at various 
locations throughout Southeast Asia. Following his release, Chuck Boyd 
served in a variety of assignments throughout Europe, the Pacific, and 
the Continental United States. The positions included vice commander of 
the Strategic Air Command's 8th Air Force, director of plans at 
Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and commander of the Air 
University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. General Boyd retires as the 
most senior command pilot of the Gray Eagle of the United States Air 
Force.
  Commander at the Air University was one of many positions of high 
importance in which General Boyd faithfully served his country. As 
commander, he was responsible for the management of 21 separate Air 
Force schools. His leadership has had a great impact on the 
professional military education of the entire Air Force. His 
stewardship took the command from a position of being widely criticized 
in this Chamber to one which was praised from the House floor as the 
finest educational command in the Department of Defense. His stellar 
leadership of the schools and visionary application of Airpower is best 
demonstrated by the conception and implementation of the School for 
Advance Airpower Studies. This is a graduate level program to teach the 
employment of Airpower in Joint Coalition and Air Force pure 
operations. This school, General Boyd's project from start to finish, 
will have the greatest single impact of any educational entity in 
insuring that the United States Air Force is prepared for the 
challenges of the 21st Century.
  As the Deputy Commander in chief of the United States European 
Command, General Boyd has guided his staff through the most eventful 
and challenging period of its postwar history. Having planned over 58 
operations in direct response to National Command Authority tasks, and 
ultimately executing 32 of those operations, General Boyd's strong and 
positive influence on U.S. foreign policy and national security 
strategy will be felt well into the next decade.
  The United States Air Force will not forget General Boyd's many years 
of faithful and dedicated service to his country. Throughout his 
service he has demonstrated not only courage and bravery, but shown his 
patriotism toward his country. Perhaps he is best represented by the 
statue of Karl W. Richter, a statue dedicated to the brave souls from 
the Vietnam War. General Boyd's leadership, like this statue at the 
center of Academic Circle at Maxwell Air Force Base, will continue to 
inspire future generations of Air Force leaders.


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