[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  A TRIBUTE TO COL. CHRISTOPHER RUSSO

                                 ______


                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Matsui and I rise today to 
pay tribute to Col. Christopher F. Russo, who is retiring his command 
of the 77th Air Base Wing, Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan 
Air Force Base, CA.
  Colonel Russo graduated from Syracuse University in 1965. He was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve 
Officer Training Corps programs that fall, and received his pilot wings 
from Moody Air Force Base, GA the following year.
  Colonel Russo was deployed to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, in Vietnam. 
After his combat tour, he was an instructor at Vance Air Force Base, 
OK. In 1972, he was assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, NV, for his 
training in the F-111A, and then deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air 
Base, Thailand, where he completed another combat tour. During his tour 
at Takhli, he became the first aircraft commander to complete 100 
combat missions in the F-111, a record he still holds.
  Colonel Russo is a command pilot with more than 4,500 hours flying 
time. He has flown 250 combat missions, with over 500 hours of combat 
and combat support time. His military awards and decorations include 
the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air 
Medal, Republic of Korea Gallantry Cross, Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Award with seven oak leaf clusters, and the Combat Readiness Medal. He 
holds a master's degree in the International Relations from Troy State 
University, AL, and is an outstanding graduate of the Air War College 
seminar program.
  Mr. Speaker, we join his wife Pam and his children, Kristen, Jodie, 
and Nicholas, in wishing Colonel Russo a happy and productive 
retirement.


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