[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COL. WILLIAM D. CUMMINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the dedication, public 
service, and patriotism of Col. William D. Cummings, U.S. Air Force, on 
the occasion of his retirement after a career of faithful service to 
our Nation. Col. Bill Cummings' strong commitment to excellence will 
leave a lasting impact on the vitality of our modern warfighters, 
commanding admiration and respect from his military and civilian 
colleagues as well as Members of Congress.
  Colonel Cummings of Summerfield, NC, is a graduate of East Carolina 
University. He is serving his last assignment in the Air Force as 
Deputy for Program Integration and Congressional Activities, Deputy 
Chief of Staff, Air and Space Operations, in the Pentagon.
  After earning his pilot's wings at Vance Air Force Base, OK in 1968, 
Colonel Cummings worked as a C-130 pilot at Sewart Air Force Base in 
Tennessee. As an AC-130A gunship aircraft commander in Thailand, 
Colonel Cummings accumulated 118 combat missions during the Vietnam War 
with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. After returning to the United 
States he was assigned as a tactical airlift director, and in June 1982 
he was selected to command the 375th Transportation Squadron.
  Just 4 years after he was named senior airlift controller, Colonel 
Cummings became vice commander for the 322d Airlift Division at 
Ramstein AB, Germany in 1991. As commander of the 621st Air Mobility 
Support Group, he directed strategic airlifts in 12 countries through 
Europe and Saudi Arabia. Upon his return to the United States he 
assumed his current responsibility of Deputy for Program Integration 
and Congressional Activities for Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space 
Operations.
  The colonel is a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours. His 
military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished 
Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service 
Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the 
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation 
Medal. He has also received the Outstanding Unit Award with ``V'' for 
valor and five oak leaf clusters, the Organizational Excellence Award, 
the Combat Readiness Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two service 
stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.
  Our Nation, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force, and his 
family can truly be proud of the colonel's many accomplishments. He is 
a man of extraordinary talent and integrity. While his honorable 
service will be genuinely missed in the Department of Defense, it gives 
me great pleasure to recognize Col. William D. Cummings. On behalf of 
the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we wish him all 
the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________