[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO CAPT. L.D. ``DEAK'' CHILDRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 1997

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Capt. Louis ``Deak'' Childress, Commanding Officer, Naval Air 
Station Lemoore, in Lemoore, CA. Captain Childress has demonstrated 
exceptional leadership throughout his service in the U.S. Navy and is 
an asset to the community of Lemoore.
  Captain Childress began his naval career by entering flight training 
at Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, in July 1973. 
After completing training at Saufley Field and Whitley Field, he 
reported to Beeville, TX, in July 1974, and received his wings on 
December 20 of that year.
  After graduation from flight school, Ensign Childress was assigned to 
Oceana, VA, flying the F-4 Phantom from the decks of the USS Nimitz and 
USS Forrestal from 1975 to 1978.
  In October 1978, Lieutenant Childress served as an instructor pilot 
at NAS Miramar in San Diego and in November 1979, he was reassigned to 
the east coast F4-RAG in Virginia.
  In July 1981, he reported to the staff of Commander Carrier Air Wing 
17 as landing signals officer and safety officer, flying once again 
with the ``Bedevilers.'' He completed the final east coast F-4 
deployment in November 1982 and reported for temporary duty at Oceana 
while awaiting assignment in Lemoore, CA. While at Lemoore, he was the 
first tactical fighter pilot to instruct in Fighter Wing One's out-of-
controlled-flight program, flying the T-2 and A-4 aircraft.
  In July 1983, he was chosen to serve as part of the early cadre of 
instructor pilots in the developing F/A-18 program. He performed duties 
as senior LSO for the Hornet RAG, and was one of the first three 
instructors selected for the newly developed Strike Fighter Weapons 
School Pacific, and served as the RAG training officer.
  In November 1985, Lieutenant Commander Childress reported as a plank 
owner, where he served as department head until August 1988. The 
squadron stood up in Lemoore, CA, and subsequently changed homeport to 
NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL.
  In September 1988, Lieutenant Commander Childress reported to 
Commander U.S. Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy for a tour as Flag 
Secretary. He served on board the Flagship, USS Belknap, until October 
1990.
  From November 1990 until June 1991, Commander Childress completed his 
PXO/CO training track and returned to NAS Cecil Field, FL. During that 
time, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf where he acted for nearly 4 
months as senior naval representative to COMUSNAVCENT's contingency 
planning cell in Dharhran, Saudi Arabia.
  In August 1993, Commander Childress, reported as Chief of Crisis 
Action Plans for the J-3 directorate of Headquarters United States 
European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. In March 1995, he was promoted 
to his current rank of captain, and in July 1996, Captain Childress 
reported as commanding officer, Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  Since returning to Naval Air Station Lemoore, Captain Childress has 
dedicated himself to improving the lives of the sailors. The first 
phase of a new family housing project has been completed, with more 
units to be finished in the upcoming months. And, Captain Childress 
recently broke ground on a new state-of-the-art naval hospital.
  Captain Childress is well-respected in both the U.S. Navy and in the 
city of Lemoore. The support he has given to the Public/Private Venture 
has played an important part in the economic growth and development of 
the city of Lemoore and Kings County.
  Captain Childress is also a devoted family man. He and his wife, the 
former Mary Sue Duckworth, have two children, Brent (21) and 
Christopher (18).
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, please join me in wishing Captain 
Childress, devoted husband, father, community member, and dedicated 
serviceman, continued success.

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