[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.
____________________