[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2965-S2966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES WILSON, III

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I wanted to let my Senate colleagues know of 
the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Wilson, III, a truly 
outstanding soldier in the United States Army. Colonel Wilson is most 
deserving of our attention. His career accomplishments reflect the type 
of military leader this nation was depended upon for two hundred years 
during peace and war.
  Colonel Wilson has distinguished himself throughout his 23-year 
career as a soldier and officer in the United States Army. A native of 
Bowling Green, Kentucky, Charles began his service as a Military Police 
enlisted soldier in October 1969. As a young soldier, Charles's 
Battalion Commander recognized his special skills in leading and 
working with fellow soldiers. He received responsibility for key 
positions in his company, earning promotion quickly.
  Within his first year he was already selected for leadership 
responsibility within his military police platoon. Colonel Wilson only 
served as a military policeman for two years before he was honorably 
discharged in September 1971, to pursue his college degree, which 
included studies as a Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet. During this

[[Page S2966]]

short period of duty, Charles had earned the rank of sergeant. He 
graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and the ROTC 
program as a distinguished military graduate, and he was commissioned a 
Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in May 1977. After graduation as an 
Infantry Lieutenant, he was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 
Again, Charles' inherent leadership skills were soon recognized. As a 
junior Second Lieutenant, his Brigade Commander selected him to command 
Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 3rd Basic Training Brigade.
  Because of his mature and talented leadership and his competence, the 
Commanding General later designated Charles' company as the first at 
Fort Leonard Wood to integrate women trainees into the basic training 
program. His hard work and enthusiasm as a company commander ensured 
that his unit successfully accomplished the challenging task.
  Subsequent assignments found Lieutenant Colonel Wilson with 
increasing amounts of responsibility to include duties as a Company 
Commander with 197th Separate Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; 
G3 for Operations and Plans, Schweinfurt Military Community, 3d 
Infantry Division, Germany; and Deputy Division Comptroller for the 
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
  In September 1990, Charles deployed with the ``Screaming Eagles'' to 
Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was one of only five Combat 
Comptrollers in the desert. His expertise in resource management and 
contracting was invaluable. The Division's units and soldiers had the 
items they needed to go to war and the items they needed to maintain 
quality of life at Camp Eagle, Saudi Arabia.
  The Army reassigned Colonel Wilson in 1993 to the Pentagon to work in 
the Inspections Division of the Office of the Inspector General and 
later with the Army Budget Office as the ``point man'' for developing 
and validating the Army's cost of conducting contingency operations. 
His current and final assignment has been as the Deputy Chief of the 
Congressional Budget Liaison Office, Army Budget Office. Through his 
tireless effort and positive ``can do'' personality, Wilson ensured 
that soldiers were well represented on Capitol Hill.
  Speaking for Kentucky and the nation, I wish to thank this 
distinguished soldier, his wife Melissa, sons Jason, Andy and daughter 
Kathryne, and to wish him continued success in future endeavors.

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