[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1882-E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF ADMIRAL JOSEPH LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Admiral 
T. Joseph Lopez, U.S. Navy, as he prepares to retire upon completion of 
39 years of faithful service to our Nation.
  A native of Powellton, West Virginia, Admiral Lopez entered the 
United States Navy in September 1959, and was commissioned an Ensign 
via the Seaman-to-Admiral Program in December 1964. His educational 
background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) in International 
Relations, and a Master of Science in Personnel Management. Admiral 
Lopez is currently the only serving admiral who enlisted, was 
commissioned through the seaman to admiral program, and currently wears 
four stars.
  Upon commissioning, Admiral Lopez was assigned to U.S.S. Eugene A. 
Greene (DD 711), which deployed to both the Mediterranean Sea and the 
Gulf of Tonkin. He then attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School in 
Newport, RI, immediately returning to sea as Weapons Officer onboard 
U.S.S. Lind (DD 703), which also deployed to Vietnam. Admiral Lopez 
received his first command in September 1969, when he assumed the 
duties as Commander, River Assault Division 153, which operated in the 
Mekong Delta in Vietnam and as part of a counter-offensive into 
Cambodia in May 1970.
  Admiral Lopez attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, 
from 1970-73 and the Armed Forces Staff College in 1974. He was then 
assigned as Flag Secretary and Staff Officer for Commander, Cruiser-
Destroyer Group Eight from 1974 to 1977.

[[Page E1883]]

He was the Executive Officer onboard U.S.S. Truett (FF 1095) from 
October 1977 through March 1979. Upon completion of tours at the Naval 
Military Personnel Command and assignment as Special Assistant to the 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower, Reserve Affairs and 
Logistics), Admiral Lopez assumed command of U.S.S. Stump (DD 978) in 
September 1982, completing a Persian Gulf deployment in 1983. In 
November 1984, he was assigned as Special Assistant to the Chief of 
Naval Personnel (Flag Officer Matters).
  Commander, Destroyer Squadron 32, which deployed to the Mediterranean 
Sea, was Admiral Lopez' next command tour from February 1987 to March 
1988. He followed this assignment with duties as Executive Assistant to 
the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training) 
and Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral 
Lopez was designated Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in July 1989, and served 
as Deputy Director, Current Operations (J-3) on the Joint Staff. He 
served as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense during 
the Persian Gulf Conflict and from July 1990 to July 1992. He commanded 
the United States Sixth Fleet and NATO's Striking and Support Forces, 
Southern Europe, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, from July 1992 to December 
1993. He then served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Resources, 
Warfare Requirements and Assessments) from December 1993 to July 1996.
  Admiral Lopez became Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe 
(London, England) and Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern 
Europe (Naples, Italy) on 31 July 1996, where he serves today. 
Additionally, he commanded the Peace Implementation Forces (IFOR) in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina from July 1996 to November 1996. He arrived in the 
middle of the IFOR deployment and almost immediately deployed to Bosnia 
to command the NATO forces in charge of enforcing the Dayton Peace 
Agreement.
  Admiral Lopez has been honored by the Governor of his home state as a 
``Distinguished West Virginian,'' and as an ``Outstanding West 
Virginian'' by the President of Salem College. West Virginia Institute 
of Technology conferred upon him the honorary degree as Doctor of 
Humanities, and the Italian Heritage Festival, in 1989, selected him as 
``West Virginia Man of the Year.'' Additionally, in June of 1997, the 
newly constructed Interstate 64 bridge spanning the Kanawha River near 
Charleston was named in his honor by the West Virginia State 
Legislature.
  A man of Joe Lopez's stature and vision is rare. He is an individual 
of uncommon character and professionalism. He will be missed by both 
his Navy and NATO colleagues. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure 
to recognize him, and to thank him and his wife Vivian for their 
selfless service to our country.

                          ____________________