[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO SENIOR M.SGT. FREDRICK D. HAM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 1996

  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior M. 
Sgt. Fredrick D. Ham who is retiring from the U.S. Air Force at 
McClellan AFB, CA.
  Senior Master Sergeant Ham has completed 26 years of dedicated 
service to our country. As a senior master sergeant, leader, and 
finally as a respected first sergeant assigned to the 77th 
Communications Squadron at McClellan Air Force Base, CA, he has 
provided dedicated and distinguished service.
  Today as we honor his retirement, we reflect on the outstanding 
career which Fred started in October 1970 when he enlisted in the U.S. 
Air Force. Upon completion of basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, 
Lackland became his first permanent duty assignment. While there, he 
performed duties as an interior electrician until cross-training into 
the work control career field in 1972.
  In December 1972, he was assigned to Torrejon AFB, Spain, where he 
worked as an in-service work programmer, controller, scheduler, quality 
control technician, service call NCOIC, and NCOIC of customer service. 
In 1982, he traveled stateside to Kirtland AFB, NM. Selected for 
promotion to master sergeant in 1983, he attended the First Sergeant 
Academy. He was selected honor graduate of his class.
  In 1986, Fred again went overseas to Bitburgh AB, Germany, where he 
was first sergeant of the 36th Aircraft Generation Squadron and 36th 
Equipment Maintenance Squadron. While there, in February 1988, he 
attended the NCO Academy at Kapaun AS, Germany (class honor graduate) 
and was the winner of the John L. Levitow award. That same year, he was 
selected as Bitburgh's First Sergeant of the Year.
  In 1990, he was assigned to McClellan AFB, where he served as the 
first sergeant of the 77th Communications Squadron until his 
retirement. In April 1992, he graduated from the Senior NCO Academy as 
a distinguished graduate while earning honors as the Military Studies 
Award Winner.
  In 1994, Fred was selected as the McClellan AFB First Sergeant of the 
Year.
  Senior Master Sergeant Ham is married to the former Diane Huse of 
Chicago, IL. They have a daughter Rebecca, who resides in Othello, WA, 
and two grandsons, Matthew, 6 and Dustin, 2.
  Fred D. Ham's career reflects a commitment to our Nation, 
characterized by dedicated selfless service, love for the Air Force and 
commitment to excellence. Senior Master Sergeant Ham's performance, 
over a quarter of a century of service, personifies the traits of 
courage, competency, and integrity that our Nation has come to expect 
from its first sergeants. On behalf of the Congress of the United 
States and the people of this great Nation, I offer our heartfelt 
appreciation and best wishes for a first sergeant who served his 
country so admirably.