[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E628-E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GENERAL JOHNNIE E. WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 1999

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to General Johnnie Edward 
Wilson, who, on April 26, is retiring from the United States Army after 
more than 37 years on active duty and has served this country with 
honor and dignity. General Wilson is an exceptional leader, a 
``soldier's soldier.''
  Having started his career as a private, he understands soldiering, 
leadership, and selfless service. He is known on Capitol Hill for his 
dedication and integrity. As the Army's senior logistician for the past 
3 years, he has tackled the tough issues in technology, acquisition and 
logistics while consistently focused on proper care for his personnel. 
Thanks to

[[Page E629]]

the efforts of patriots like General Wilson, the United States Army 
enters the new millennium as a strong, proud fighting force. This 
outstanding American deserves the praise and thanks of a grateful 
nation.
  Born on February 4, 1944, General Wilson was raised in Lorain, Ohio, 
and entered the Army in August 1961 as an enlisted soldier, attaining 
the rank of staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School 
(OCS). After completing OSC in 1967, he was commissioned a second 
lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. He was awarded a bachelor of science 
degree in logistics management from the Florida Institute of 
Technology. His military education includes completion of the Ordnance 
Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Army Command and General Staff 
College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
  General Wilson held a wide variety of important command and staff 
positions culminating in his current assignment as the commanding 
general, U.S. Army Material Command. Other key assignments include: 
deputy chief of staff for logistics, Department of the Army, Pentagon; 
chief of staff, U.S. Army Material Command; commanding general, 
Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; deputy 
commanding general, 21st Theater Army Area Command, U.S. Army Europe 
and 7th Army; commander, 13th Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas, and, 
commander, Division Support Command, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army, 
Europe.
  General Wilson served with distinction at every level of command. He 
commanded three times at the company level--a maintenance company in 
the 82nd Airborne Division as a first lieutenant, followed by command 
of a supply and services company in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne 
Brigade, and a maintenance company with the 1st Armored Division in 
Europe. At the lieutenant colonel level, General Wilson commanded the 
709th maintenance Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, 
Washington, which converted and became the Army's first Main Support 
Battalion. General Wilson commanded twice at the colonel level, serving 
as the Division Support Command commander of the 1st Armored Division 
followed by command of the 13th Support Command at Fort Hood, Texas.
  General Wilson next served as the deputy commanding general, 21st 
Theater Army Area Command, the Army's largest and most diverse 
logistics unit. Based on his wide experience with leading soldiers, 
General Wilson was selected to command the Ordnance Center and School 
responsible for training thousands of soldiers, NCOs and officer every 
year. Following this successful assignment, General Wilson served as 
the chief of staff, AMC, where he was responsible for resource and 
personnel management for a workforce with over 80,000 military and 
civilian members. From 1964 to 1996, General Wilson served as the 
deputy chief of staff for logistics, Department of the Army, where he 
was responsible for worldwide logistics.
  General Wilson's awards and decorations include the Distinguished 
Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf 
Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious 
Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, 
Good Conduct Medal, Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and 
the Army Staff Identification Badge.
  General Wilson is married to the former Helen McGhee of Elyria, Ohio, 
and they have three children: Johnnie E. Jr., Charlene, and Scott, and 
five grandchildren. Please join me in commending the service of General 
Johnnie Wilson this month upon the occasion of his retirement.

                          ____________________