[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JOHN F. FITZGERALD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2001

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay 
tribute to Chief Master Sergeant John F. Fitzgerald upon his retirement 
from the United States Air Force.
  Chief Master Sergeant John Fitzgerald has served our nation with 
honor and distinction for over 26 years, and his performance his entire 
career has been characterized by the highest of standards and 
professionalism. He was born in Evansville, Indiana, on 23 February 
1957. He graduated from William Henry Harrison High School in 1975 and 
entered active duty in January 1976. Upon graduation from basic 
military training in March 1976, he was assigned under the direct duty 
assignment program to Charleston Air Force Base and entered into 
training as an Administrative Specialist. After serving on the base 
honor guard and coaching little league, he was selected for promotion 
to Senior Airman Below The Zone and was reassigned to Camp New 
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in August 1978.
  Chief Master Sergeant Fitzgerald's outstanding job performance and 
professionalism led to his selection for a special duty assignment to 
join the elite USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, ``Thunderbirds,'' in 
December 1981. While assigned to the team he was selected as the 1984 
Fitzgerald Award Winner, given to the enlisted member of the squadron 
who contributed most to the team mission. At the culmination of this 
tour in December 1984, the chief was selected for another special duty 
assignment to the Headquarters, Tactical Air Command Deputy Chief of 
Staff, Personnel, at Langley AFB, Virginia. In August 1988, the chief 
was selected for a special duty assignment to the Commandant of Cadets, 
USAF Academy, Colorado.
  At the end of this tour in December 1991, the chief was selected as a 
member of the base closure team to end the Air Force's 51-year service 
at Sondrestrom AB, Greenland. Upon closure of Sondrestrom Air Base on 
30 September 1992, the chief was reassigned to Patrick Air Force Base, 
Florida.
  After assignment as the 45th Space Wing Command Section 
Superintendent, he was reassigned to the 45th Mission Support Squadron 
as the Military Personnel Flight Superintendent. In March 1999, he was 
selected to become the Command Chief Master Sergeant for Joint Task 
Force-Southwest Asia and OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH head-quartered at 
Eskan Village, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In June 2000, Chief 
Master Fitzgerald returned to his previous position as the 
Superintendent, Military Personnel Flight for the 45th Mission Support 
Squadron at Patrick AFB, Florida, and in January 2001, moved to the 
45th Space Wing Staff to a newly created position as Superintendent of 
the Wing Plans Division. In this capacity he supported various high 
level, special interest projects of vital importance to NASA, the 
Florida Spaceport Authority, and the 45th Space Wing, in the 
Development of the Florida Spaceport program.
  Chief Master Sergeant Fitzgerald's awards include the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf 
clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal 
with one oak leaf cluster, USAF Outstanding Airman of the Year Medal, 
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal 
with star.
  Chief Master Sergeant Fitzgerald is married to the former Phyllis Ann 
Vaught, and they have one daughter, Amanda.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the contributions Chief Master 
Sergeant John Fitzgerald has made to the people of my State, the United 
States Air Force, and the country. I am certain my colleagues will join 
me in wishing Chief Master Sergeant Fitzgerald and his wife, Phyllis, 
all the best. We thank them for over 26 years of service to the United 
States of America.

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