[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL RANDALL T. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to pay 
tribute to a truly exceptional Marine: Colonel Randall T. Smith, who 
will be retiring on October 1, 1998, after more than 26 years of 
service to this great nation. His dedication and professionalism have 
earned him the respect of his seniors, peers and his subordinates.
  Colonel Smith is a graduate of East Texas State University with a 
Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned a 
Second Lieutenant upon graduation from Officers Candidate School in May 
1972, and completed the Basic School in November 1972. After graduating 
from the Aviation supply Officer's Course in February 1973, Colonel 
Smith was assigned as Squadron Supply Officer with VMAT-203, MCCRGT-20, 
Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, in March 1973--
during which the squadron received its first AV-8A Harrier. He was 
promoted to First Lieutenant in April 1974.
  Colonel Smith next served in various H&MS-12 Group Supply Department 
billets, until he was transferred to the 4th Marine Aircraft wing in 
August 1976. He was promoted to Captain in November 1976 and served as 
Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Reserve Aviation Supply Training Unit 
in New Orleans, Louisiana, until July 1978.
  After graduating from Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Base, 
Quantico, Virginia, in June 1979, Colonel Smith reported for duty with 
H&MS-13, Marine Air Group-13, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, 
California. There, he served as the Group Aviation Supply Support 
Center Officer, and subsequently, as Group Supply Officer. Colonel 
Smith, then, transferred to H&MS-24, Marine Air Group-24, Marine Corps 
Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in August 1981, for duty as the Group 
Supply Officer where he was promoted to Major in June 1982.
  From August 1984 to June 1985 Colonel Smith attended the College of 
Naval Command and Staff, Newport, Rhode Island, and also was awarded a 
Master of Science Degree in Management from Salve Regina College. 
Following graduation from the Naval War College, he was ordered to 
Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, D.C., where he served as the 
Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information Systems (PMA-
270) Deputy Program Manager. In January 1988, Colonel Smith transferred 
to Headquarters, Marine Corps (Department of Aviation) for duty as the 
Aviation Supply Support Officer for the Marine Corps.
  In September 1988, Colonel Smith reported to Navy Supply Corps 
School, Athens, Georgia, for duty as Marine Corps Representative for 
Northeast Georgia and Head Marine Corps Training Division, where he was 
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in April 1989. Colonel Smith, then, 
reported to Marine Air Logistics Squadron-29, Marine Air Group-29, 
Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina, for duty as 
Squadron Executive Officer in September 1991. There, Colonel Smith 
served as Commanding Officer of Marine Air Logistics Squadron-29 from 
February 1992 until June 1993.
  Colonel Smith was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff (ALD), 1st 
Marine Air Wing in August 1993 and was promoted to his present grade of 
Colonel in July 1994. He later assumed command of Marine Wing Support 
Group 17 on January 28, 1995.
  Colonel Smith's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with 
one Gold Star), the Navy commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement 
Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service 
Medal (with one Bronze Star) and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 
(with three Bronze Stars).
  During Colonel Smith's career, he and his family have made many 
sacrifices for our country. I would like to thank them all--Randall, 
his lovely wife Donna, and their four children, April, Sara, Derek and 
Brett--for their contributions to the Marine Corps and to our national 
security.
  Mr. Speaker, Colonel Smith is a great credit to the United States 
Marine Corps and the country he has so faithfully and honorably served. 
As he prepares to depart for new challenges, I know that my colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle join me in wishing him every success, as 
well as fair winds and following seas. When we adjourn today's session, 
let us do so in honor of this great American.

                          ____________________