[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CAPT. RALPH MARTIN ALFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 1997

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize a truly 
outstanding navel officer, Capt. Marty Alford, U.S. Navy. Captain 
Alford will soon be completing his assignment as the Director of the 
Navy Liaison Office to the House of Representatives, which will also 
bring to a close a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. It 
is a pleasure for me to recognize just a few of his many outstanding 
achievements.
  A native of Columbia, MO, Captain Alford was commissioned an ensign 
upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. Following 
graduation, he entered flight training, receiving his wings of gold, 
and designation as a naval aviator in June 1973. Captain Alford's 
initial tour was with Patrol Squadron 10, homeported at Naval Air 
Station Brunswick, ME, flying the P-3B Orion aircraft. In February 
1977, Captain Alford reported for duty as flag lieutenant to commander, 
Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, VA. After 18 months he transferred to the 
staff of commander, Carrier Group 8, also in Norfolk, where he again 
served as flag lieutenant and aide. Captain Alford's next tour found 
him at the naval air station in Jacksonville, FL with Patrol Squadron 
30. Qualifying as an instructor pilot in both the P-3B and P-3C 
aircraft, he also served as assistant training officer and maintenance 
material control officer. In March 1982, he transferred to Patrol 
Squadron 1 at the naval air station in Barbers Point, HI. He served as 
training officer and operations officer while completing deployments to 
Cubi Point in the Philippines and to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. 
In January 1985, Captain Alford reported for duty to Patrol Squadron 4 
in Hawaii as the executive officer and deployed to Diego Garcia.
  In May 1986, Captain Alford assumed command of Patrol Squadron 4 and 
led the squadron through a successful deployment to Naval Air Station 
Adak, AK. Upon successful completion of his command tour at sea in May 
1987, Captain Alford began a 1 year assignment as operations officer 
for Commander Patrol Wing 2, followed by challenging duty in 
Washington, DC, as an action officer in the Strategy, Plans and Policy 
Division of the Naval Staff. Following selection for Fleet Reserve 
Squadron Command in July 1989, Captain Alford reported as commanding 
officer of Patrol Squadron 31 at Naval Air Station Moffet field in 
California. After completing his second command tour in July 1990, he 
began a 1 year assignment as a student at the National War College at 
Fort McNair in Washington, DC. After graduating in June 1991, he was 
assigned to the staff of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Air 
Warfare as a branch head. Captain Alford reported as commander, Patrol 
Wing 10 in March 1992 and led the wing through several highly 
successful operational deployments and numerous detachments throughout 
the world in support of a wide variety of missions. Captain Alford 
completed his third major command tour in October 1993 and reported as 
Director, Navy Liaison to the House of Representatives in February 
1994.
  Mr. Speaker, Marty Alford, his wife Terri, and their two children, 
Michelle and Mary Beth, have made many sacrifices during his 26-year 
naval career. Marty has spent a significant amount of time away from 
his family to support the vital role our naval forces play in ensuring 
the security of our great Nation. Captain Alford is a great credit to 
the U.S. Navy and the country he so proudly served. As he now prepares 
to depart the Navy for new challenges ahead, I call upon my colleagues 
from both sides of the aisle to wish him and his family every success, 
as well as fair winds and following seas, always.

                          ____________________