[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2117-E2118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              CONGRATULATIONS TO COL. WILLIAM D. McGILL II

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 1997

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate Col. William 
D. McGill II, who will retire from the U.S. Army on October 30, 1997, 
after a long and distinguished career of service to our Nation spanning 
nearly 30 years.
  Colonel McGill enlisted in the Army in 1967, shortly after graduating 
from the North Carolina State University at Raleigh. He successfully 
completed Officer Candidate School and

[[Page E2118]]

was commissioned a second lieutenant of armor in the U.S. Army Reserve 
on October 20, 1968.
  Over the course of his career, Colonel McGill served in a variety of 
exceptionally challenging troop and staff assignments in Vietnam, 
Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United States. After completing 
aviation training at Hunter Army Airfield, GA, Dan McGill deployed to 
the Republic of Vietnam where he served as a Cobra gunship section 
commander and as the Headquarters Company Executive Officer in the 
Mekong Delta for 15 months. For his achievements during combat then-
Lieutenant McGill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 37 
awards of the Air Medal. After completing his combat tour, Dan then 
served with the Army's elite 82d Airborne Division for the next 3 
years.
  After attending the Armor Officer Advance Course, Dan returned to 
Fort Bragg, where he once again served with the 82d. He had the 
distinction of commanding two different cavalry troops for a total of 3 
years. The length of Dan McGill's command time is a reflection of his 
extraordinary ability to lead soldiers.
  Colonel McGill's potential for increased responsibility was rewarded 
with selection for and attendance at the Army Command and General Staff 
College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Dan continued his service in a series 
of challenging assignments following his graduation from Fort 
Leavenworth. First, he spent 2 years in South Korea in a joint 
assignment as a personnel officer and then he returned to the United 
States to serve in the Pentagon as a staff officer in the Office of the 
Chief of Legislative Liaison.
  Dan McGill then had the distinction of being selected for battalion 
command and returned to Fort Bragg to serve as the commander of the 1st 
Squadron, 17th Cavalry, in the 82d Airborne Division. This cavalry 
squadron is the eyes and ears of the All-American Division. Through 
sustained superior performance Colonel McGill once again proved he had 
an unsurpassed ability to lead the world's finest soldiers. He 
commanded in magnificent fashion.
  After graduation from the Army War College, Colonel McGill served on 
the III Corps Staff until he once again assumed his natural role of a 
leader of soldiers. He assumed command of the 1st Cavalry Division's 
Aviation Brigade at Fort Hood, TX. Dan performed magnificently as a 
brigade commander and during this time served our Nation in combat for 
a second time, in the Persian Gulf.
  Following the brigade command, Col. McGill returned to Korea to serve 
as the Chief of Staff of 8th U.S. Army. He culminated his service to 
the Nation as military deputy to the Army's Chief of Legislative 
Liaison and as the staff director of the Vietnam Commando's Commission.
  Colonel Dan McGill has distinguished himself as a leader during a 
remarkable career of service to our Nation. He has continuously 
displayed the professionalism, integrity, and dependability our country 
has come to expect from its Army officers. He has answered the call of 
service unwaveringly and our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for 
the future go with him as he prepares for his next endeavor.

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