[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD F. GILLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sadness, and 
that of the entire Robins Air Force Base community in Middle Georgia, 
over the passing of my good friend, retired Major General Richard F. 
(Dick) Gillis.
  General Gillis commanded the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at a 
critical time in our country's history and that of Robins, and he 
carried out that mission as he did all his assignments: with 
outstanding patriotism, competence, and leadership. Uniquely among 
commanders, he served this center in three separate positions: as the 
director of maintenance, as the ALC vice commander, and as ALC 
commander.
  The current ALC commander, Maj. Gen. Donald Wetekam, said it 
exceptionally well: ``General Dick Gillis was a courageous leader 
during a period of great change in our Air Force. His foresight and 
wisdom made this a better place to live and work. We'll all miss him.''
  During his command General Gillis made Robins a less likely candidate 
for base closure by bringing in the Joint STARS mission; by working 
hard to assure future workloads; by preventing a reduction in force 
when other ALCs were losing work force; by working on aerospace 
industry expansion and educational enhancement in the Middle Georgia 
area. Gen. Gillis led the center very ably during the critical times of 
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and during the Persian Gulf 
War.
  General Gillis was a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours. While 
assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, General Gillis flew 
100 combat missions in RF-101A/C aircraft. Over his 38 year Air Force 
career, General Gillis' military awards and decorations included the 
Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal 
with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force 
Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding 
Unit Award with ``V'' device and oak leaf cluster, Air Force 
Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness 
Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam 
Service Medal with five service stars, Air Force Longevity Service 
Award Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Philippine Presidential Unit 
Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic 
of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, General Gillis was a great commander of Robins, a great 
American, and he will be missed so very much. It is most appropriate 
that his burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery on October 15. 
Our country has lost a strong leader, and I am proud to have known him 
and worked with him.

                          ____________________