[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1015-E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. HOWARD D. GRAVES

                                 ______


                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, the retirement of Lt. Gen. Howard D. 
Graves, 54th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point 
is announced with deep appreciation for and pride in his distinguished 
career of more than 35 years.
  Lieutenant General Graves has concluded his career by making 
important contributions in the arena of strategic defense of the Nation 
as well as in the all-important area of developing military leaders for 
the next century. His outstanding leadership, his wisdom, his clear 
vision for the future, and his strength of character, all contributed 
to General Graves exceptional impact on the American profession of 
arms. His creativity and enthusiasm supported an outstanding 
performance of duty throughout a career that reflects the highest 
traditions of the U.S. Army.
  Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers upon 
graduation from the Military Academy in 1961, he began a career that 
took him through numerous and challenging command, staff, and academic 
positions, culminating in his assignment as Superintendent of the 
Military Academy. Those assignments have included overseas tours of 
duty in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Germany; plus several 
tours of duty in Washington, DC. They have been among the most 
demanding positions in the U.S. Army, and his performance has been 
uniformly exceptional, representing the finest of the commissioned 
officer corps.
  Selected as a Rhodes Scholar while at the Military Academy, General 
Graves earned a master of arts degree in international relations from 
St. Johns College, Oxford University in 1994. During his first active 
Army assignment, he commanded Company A, 307th Engineer Battalion, 1st 
Brigade, 82d Airborne Division in 1965 to 1966, for which he was cited 
for his professionalism and leadership during ground combat against an 
armed enemy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His successful 
command led to selection as operations officer and later Assistant 
Chief of Staff of the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, from 1966 
to 1967.
  General Graves was chosen to return to Oxford University in 1968, 
where he began work on a master of literature degree in modern history.
  Subsequently, he was assigned as operations officer of the 8th 
Engineer Battalion (Airmobile), and later assistant division engineer, 
1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam. While in 
that combat environment, General Graves was cited for his exemplary 
professionalism and initiative, and his professional competence and 
outstanding achievement. Subsequently, General Graves was selected to 
attend the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort 
Leavenworth, KS, and was next assigned to the faculty of the U.S. 
Military Academy from 1970 to 1973, working as associate professor, 
executive officer, and assistant professor of the Department of Social 
Sciences.

  Demonstrating his extraordinary ability, General Graves was assigned 
to Washington, DC., as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense 
from June 1974 to November 1975. During that period he was promoted to 
lieutenant colonel and selected to command the 54th Engineer Battalion, 
V Corps, U.S. Army Europe from 1976 to 1978, earning praise for making 
that battalion the best in the 130th Engineer Brigade. Following 
battalion command, he attended the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle 
Barracks, PA, and continued serving as special assistant to the deputy 
commandant of the War College.
  From February 1980 until June 1982, General Graves commanded the 20th 
Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. Then, from July 
1982 to July 1983, he served as assistant division commander (Support), 
1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. In July 1983 he became Deputy 
Chief of Staff, Engineer, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, GA 
until July 1984.
  Promoted to brigadier general, he was assigned to Washington, DC, in 
July 1984 in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and 
Plans, where he served as Deputy Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy 
Directorate, with additional duty as Assistant Army Operations Deputy, 
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cited for his significant 
contributions on critical and sensitive issues of national security 
policy, national military strategy, and Army plans and policies, he 
demonstrated totally selfless service and his complete dedication.
  General Graves exceptional ability led to his selection as Vice 
Director of the Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 
where he served from August 1986 to October 1987. He was promoted to 
major general and assigned as Commandant, U.S. Army War College, 
Carlisle Barracks, PA, in 1987. While there, he contributed to the Army 
and the Nation by initiating important improvements in the curriculum 
and by developing and mentoring the Army's senior leaders.
  In July 1989, General Graves was promoted to lieutenant general and 
named Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that 
position he was principal advisor to the chairman and served the Nation 
in the highest level diplomatic negotiations before, during, and after 
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, working closely with the 
Secretary of State. He was recognized by all who worked with him for 
his loyalty, leadership, personal integrity, and professional 
competence.
  As a result of a career of exceptional service to the Army and the 
Nation, he was selected to be Superintendent of the U.S. Military 
Academy at West Point, an assignment that has demanded gifted 
leadership, intellect, and character. With his guidance, the Military 
Academy staff continued to develop and improve its performance, while 
General Graves has been instrumental in influencing critical support 
from and promoting positive relationships with West Point's diverse 
constituencies, including Congressional and Department of Defense 
leadership, outside organizations, graduates and friends of the 
Academy, and parents of cadets. His success in achieving economies and 
efficiencies, particularly in moving forward the multimillion dollar 
revitalization projects so critical to the future of the facilities 
master plan, has helped to ensure the continuation of the Academy's 
role as the world's premier leader development institution. His 
energetic, personable, and cooperative approach has created a spirit of 
trust, reflecting

[[Page E1016]]

his belief in honor and consideration of others as bedrock leader 
values.
  Lt. Gen. Howard D. Graves is dedicated to excellence and service to 
America in the profession of arms. Throughout his long and 
distinguished career, he has truly personified the excellence, spirit, 
and dedication of the soldier-scholar. His faithful service, integrity, 
firm commitment, and outstanding contributions to our Army and the 
Nation are a legacy of great value.
  Lieutenant General Graves' many friends and fellow soldiers join 
together in wishing him peace, happiness, and continued success in all 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________