[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE CAREER OF CAPTAIN RICHARD WOOLARD, UNITED STATES NAVY

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Capt. Richard (Rick) T.P. Woolard, one of the last Vietnam era officers 
of the U.S. Navy's Sea, Air, Land [SEAL] teams. Captain Woolard will 
retire in October after 30 years of outstanding service to our Nation. 
He is known throughout the military not only as a consummate warrior, 
but as a strategic thinker whose contributions will have a lasting 
impact as the U.S. military enters the 21st century.
  Captain Woolard began his Navy career as an ensign in 1966. Following 
graduation from underwater demolition training he served as a platoon 
commander with Underwater Demolition Team 21 where he conducted his 
first deployment to the Caribbean. Upon graduation from U.S. Army 
Ranger School in 1968, Captain Woolard was assigned as a platoon 
commander with SEAL Team Two. From 1968 to 1970 he made two deployments 
to the Republic of Vietnam where he led over 145 combat missions. For 
his courageous and distinguished actions he received the Silver Star 
and three Bronze Star medals. While Captain Woolard was repeatedly 
recognized for his courageous leadership and success in inflicting 
numerous casualties upon enemy forces, he was also recognized for his 
humanity. During an operation in April 1970, while taking incoming 
enemy rocket fire, he acted with complete disregard for his own safety, 
plunging into the waters of the Song Ong Doc River to rescue Vietnamese 
civilians caught in the crossfire of a Viet Cong ambush of his platoon. 
His actions saved the lives of three women and children.
  After his second deployment to Vietnam, Captain Woolard served as the 
training officer at the Naval Amphibious School, Little Creek, passing 
on his combat knowledge to underwater demolition/SEAL trainees. 
Following a tour with the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC 
Captain Woolard was assigned as an exchange officer with the Special 
Boat Service Royal Marines. His accomplishments while assigned there 
are recounted by members of this elite unit to this day. Upon his 
return to the United States in 1977, Captain Woolard served as the 
executive officer of Underwater Demolition Team 21. He then completed 
the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in 1979 and 
served in a Naval Special Warfare staff assignment. From 1982 to 1984 
Captain Woolard commanded SEAL Team Two.
  Following an assignment with U.S. Forces Caribbean, Captain Woolard 
embarked on three more command tours. In 1987, he commanded the Navy's 
antiterrorist security coordination team. He then commanded SEAL Team 
Six, the premier combat unit within Naval Special Warfare, followed by 
command of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. In 1990 Captain 
Woolard became the Director for Combatting Terrorism, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity 
Conflict where he was recognized for his strategic vision in the 
formulation of counter terrorism policy.
  Throughout his career, Captain Woolard has set the standard for 
achievement amongst Navy SEALS. His contributions both on and off the 
battlefield have contributed immensely to the accomplishments of our 
Nation's elite maritime special operations force. The legacy of his 
leadership and foresight will carry on well into the next century as 
special operations forces meet the challenges of the battlefield of the 
21st century.
  I bid Captain Woolard, his wife Sandra, his daughter Jennifer and his 
son John Paul fair winds and following seas.

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