[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11906-S11907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL JOHN TOTUSHEK

 Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to congratulate VADM 
John B. Totushek upon the completion of his career of service in the 
United States Navy and Naval Reserve. Throughout his 36-year military 
career, Vice Admiral Totushek served with distinction and dedication, 
ultimately becoming the first Naval Reservist Commander of the Naval 
Reserve Force to wear three stars, achieving the rank of Vice Admiral.
  Vice Admiral John B. Totushek is native of Minneapolis, MN. A 1966 
graduate of the University of Minnesota, he

[[Page S11907]]

earned his commission through a Navy ROTC scholarship and was 
designated a pilot upon completion of flight training in June 1968.
  Vice Admiral Totushek began his Naval Aviation career in 1969 flying 
the F-4 Phantom with Fighter Squadron 41 based at Naval Air Station 
Oceana, VA. He continued his career as an F-4 instructor pilot and 
Landing Signal Officer with Fighter Squadron 101, also based at Naval 
Air Station Oceana. In November 1973, he resigned his regular 
commission and accepted a commission in the Naval Reserve. During the 
next 24 years, Vice Admiral Totushek served in numerous capacities with 
the Naval Reserve and several civilian companies.
  As a Reservist, he served as commanding officer of three Virginia-
based air-combat training squadrons, including Squadron Reinforcement 
Unit VC-1006, Squadron Reinforcement Unit VC-686, and Fighter Composite 
Squadron VC-12. He served as commanding officer of several Atlantic 
Fleet air support commands, including Naval Air Atlantic 1086 and Naval 
Air Forces Eastern Atlantic.
  As his Reserve career advanced, he served in several senior strategic 
and management positions within the Navy, including command of the 
Atlantic Fleet's Logistics Task Force and the Naval Reserve Readiness 
Command Region Eight. Upon successful completion of these command 
tours, he served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as the 
Deputy Director for Naval Air Warfare, Reserve Programs,
  In early 1997, Vice Admiral Totushek was asked to return to active 
duty to lead the Navy's environmental, safety and occupational health 
programs. He then was selected as Commander, Naval Reserve Force on 
October 17, 1998. His duties include command of 88,000 Naval Reservists 
and 181 nationwide Reserve facilities. Vice Admiral Totushek also 
represents the Naval Reserve before Congress as Chief of Naval Reserve, 
and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Naval 
Reserve. He was promoted to vice admiral on 24 May 2001, becoming the 
first Naval Reservist three-star admiral in history to lead the Naval 
Reserve.
  During his tenure, Naval Reserve Forces were mobilized three times: 
the Kosovo Campaign in 1999, Operation Noble Eagle in 2001 and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Under his leadership, Naval Reservists 
served with great honor, dedication and sacrifice during the global war 
on terrorism, in war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq, and here at home as 
part of the homeland defense network.
  His family and fellow shipmates can be proud of his service. Vice 
Admiral Totushek, his wife Jan, and children Courtney and Chris have 
made many sacrifices during his Naval and civilian careers, and we 
appreciate their contributions of conscientious service to our country. 
As he departs the Pentagon to start his third career, I call upon my 
colleagues to wish John and his family every success, and the 
traditional Navy ``fair winds and following seas.''

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