[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RETIREMENT OF CWO 0-5, HARRY FLOYD HINKLE, JR.

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to speak briefly 
about an American hero and an American patriot, CWO-05, Harry Floyd 
Hinkle, Jr.
  As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am presented 
almost daily with young men and women who have dedicated their lives to 
the service of their country in our Armed Forces. As I know my 
colleagues agree, these men and women are truly America's finest. 
Today, it is an honor for me to present to the Senate an example of 
America's best, Chief Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle.
  Chief Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle will soon be retiring from the Marine 
Corps after 30 years of honor, patriotism and distinguished service. I 
have not had the privilege of meeting CWO-05 Hinkle personally, 
however, a review of his record clearly demonstrates why it is 
appropriate for the Senate to honor him today.
  CWO-05 Hinkle joined the Marine Corps on February 7, 1967. He spent 3 
years in Vietnam with the First Armored Amphibian Company, 11th Marine 
Corps Regiment. While serving in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star 
with Combat V.
  Mr. President, for most men and women that service alone would have 
been more than above and beyond the call of duty, but not for Chief 
Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle. He returned from Vietnam where he was 
appointed warrant officer and later commissioned as an officer 
eventually reaching the grade of captain. In 1990 when his country 
called upon him to once again serve in the face of great danger, Chief 
Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle responded. He served in Desert Storm and 
Desert Shield where he guided deployments to southwest Asia for 
installing and operating secondary imagery dissemination devices.
  Mr. President, Chief Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle has served as an 
enlisted marine, officer, and warrant officer. He has shown gallantry 
on the battlefield and has been a model marine in the classroom. He 
served heroically in the past and has helped make America's future 
safer by training the marines, airmen, soldiers, and sailors of 
tomorrow. Chief Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle's personal decorations 
include the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, 
the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon, the Kuwait 
Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Southeast 
Asia Service Medal.
  Mr. President, after 30 years of service to his country, I believe 
that America owes Chief Warrant Officer-05 Hinkle a thank you, a heart-
felt God's speed, and a proud semper fi.

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