[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E516-E517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DALE O. SNODGRASS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize a truly 
outstanding naval officer, Captain Dale O. Snodgrass, U.S. Navy. 
Captain Snodgrass will soon be completing his assignment as the 
Director of the Navy Liaison Office to the House of Representatives, 
which will also bring to a close a long and distinguished career in the 
U.S. Navy. It is a pleasure for me to recognize just a few of his many 
outstanding achievements.
  A native of Long Island, New York, Captain Snodgrass graduated from 
the University of Minnesota and was commissioned an Ensign in August 
1972. He was designated a naval Aviator in December 1973. He reported 
to Fighter Squadron 124 as one of the first two newly winged Aviators 
selected for F-14 training. After being the first non-fleet experienced 
Aviator to carrier qualify the F-14, he reported to Fighter Squadron 
142 in January 1975. Completing his tour in May 1978, he reported to 
Fighter Squadron 101, the F-14 Training Squadron, as a Fight Instructor 
and Landing Signal Officer. Following his Instructor tour, he reported 
to Carrier Air Wing 8 as the Senior Landing Signal Officer.
  After a 2 year tour in Air Wing 8, he reported to Fighter Squadron 43 
as an Adversary Instructor, serving as Operations Officer. Returning to 
the Fleet in January 1985, Captain Snodgrass served in Fighter Squadron 
143 as Operations and Maintenance Officer. In 1986 Captain Snodgrass 
was selected as the Navy's ``Fighter Pilot of the Year'' and ``Top Cat 
of the Year.''
  Reporting to Fighter Squadron 101 in January 1988, he served as the 
Executive Officer until May 1988. Captain Snodrgrass subsequently 
joined Fighter Squadron 33 as Executive Officer later the same month. 
He assumed command of Fighter Squadron 33 in September 1989, while 
embarked in the USS America (CV 66) in the Red Sea. Upon completion of 
his sixth deployment, he led his squadron through an accelerated 
training cycle that culminated with combat operations in support of 
``DESERT STORM.'' His Commanding Officer's tour ended with yet another 
underway Change of Command in the Red Sea in February 1991.
  Captain Snodgrass then reported to the USS Theodore Roosevelt  (CVN 
71) as Navigator. Assuming additional duties as Battle Group Navigator, 
he planned coordinated and safely executed Battle Group navigation and 
transit in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean. His 
Navigation Department

[[Page E517]]

and Staff was subsequently selected for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's 
Navigation award for 1992. Transferring in March 1993, he reported to 
the Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare as Head, Aviation 
Manpower, Undergraduate Flight Training and Trainer Aircraft sections. 
In September 1994, Captain Snodgrass reported as Commander, Fighter 
Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Under his command, TOMCAT precision strike 
and single citing of the entire community as NAS Oceana became a 
reality. His tour as Commodore ended with a Change of Command in 
January 1997. In February 1997, Captain Snodgrass relocated to 
Washington, DC, as Director, Navy Liaison, U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, Dale Snodgrass has made many sacrifices during his 26 
year naval career. Dale has spent a significant amount of time away 
from his family to support the vital role our naval forces play in 
ensuring the security of our great Nation. Captain Snodgrass, a great 
credit to the U.S. Navy and the country he so proudly served, will 
retire on 23 March 1999 and move to St. Augustine, Florida. As he now 
prepares to depart the Navy for new challenges ahead, I call upon my 
colleagues from both sides of the aisle to wish him every success, as 
well as fair winds and following seas, always.

                          ____________________