[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E149-E150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO GENERAL JOHN H. TILELLI, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2000

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and pay 
tribute to Gen. John H. Tilelli, Jr., who retired from the U.S. Army on 
January 31, 2000, after more than 33 years of exemplary service.
  General Tilelli was raised in Holmdel, NJ. A 1963 graduate of 
Pennsylvania Military College, he received a bachelor's degree in 
economics and was commissioned as an armor officer. He attended the 
armor officer basic and advanced courses and Airborne School. General 
Tilelli is also a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and 
Staff College and completed the U.S. Army War College in 1983. He 
received a master's degree in education administration from Lehigh 
University in 1972. Widener University awarded him an honorary 
doctorate in business management in 1996 and the University of Maryland 
presented him with an honorary doctorate in law in 1997.
  General Tilelli saw combat in two wars during his career. In Vietnam, 
he served as the company commander, 18th Engineer Brigade and as the 
district senior advisor, Advisory Team 84. During Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm, General Tilelli was the commanding general, 1st Cavalry 
Division.
  In other assignments, General Tilelli served in the 3d Battalion, 
77th Armor, Fort Devens, MA. He also held positions in the 2d Armored 
Cavalry Regiment, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and then 1st 
Armored Division while stationed in Germany. Additionally, he had the 
opportunity to mentor future soldiers as an assistant professor of 
military science, Lafayette College, PA, and shared his technical 
expertise during a tour at the U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, KY.
  General Tilelli commanded the Seventh Army Training Command and 
Combat Maneuver Training Center in Germany before assuming command of 
the 1st Cavalry Division. After that, he served in the Pentagon as the 
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, then as 
Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. After his promotion to 
general, he served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army before assuming 
command of U.S. Army Forces Command. General Tilelli then became the 
Commander of the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea/United 
States Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea.
  General Tilelli made monumental contributions and improvements to the 
United States and Republic of Korea military coalition and vastly 
improved its ability to deter and defend against attack. He also served 
as a vital link between the United States and the civilian government 
of the Republic of Korea, proving to be one of the Army's most 
successful diplomats. His political and military expertise resulted in 
the right application and employment of forces to ultimately deescalate 
the rising

[[Page E150]]

tensions during several crucial periods on the Korean peninsula. In 
addition to improving military readiness and force projection 
capability, General Tilelli ensured that all soldiers, sailors, airmen, 
and marines under his command received the best care, the best 
facilities and the best service possible for themselves and their 
family members.
  General Tilelli's decorations included the Defense Distinguished 
Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf 
Clusters), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with ``V'' Device (with 
two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak 
Leaf Clusters), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with two 
Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver 
Star and Palm. He also wears the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist 
Badge, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Badge, the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
  Mr. Speaker, General John Tilelli is the kind of officer that all 
soldiers strive to be. He has served with honor and distinction, 
dedicating over 33 years to our soldiers and our Nation. The U.S. Army 
is a better institution for his service. I know the Members of the 
House will join me in offering gratitude to General Tilelli and his 
family--his wife, Valerie, and his daughters, Christine, Margaret, and 
Jeanne--for their service to our country, and we wish them all the best 
in the years ahead.