[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11985-S11986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LIEUTENANT GENERAL EMIL R. ``BUCK'' BEDARD, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to LTG 
Emil R. ``Buck'' Bedard, who will retire Monday and return to private 
life after more than 36 years of selfless service to our Nation as a 
United States Marine. I have had the pleasure to work with Lieutenant 
General Bedard on matters of importance to the U.S. Marine Corps and to 
our Nation's defense. His experience and expertise will be missed by 
many of us in the Senate, as will his integrity, keen insight, and good 
judgment.
  Buck Bedard was born in Argyle, MN, where he graduated from Argyle 
high school. He then slipped away from Minnesota's grasp and attended 
the University of North Dakota. Following his graduation, he was 
commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in December 1967. 
General Bedard also holds a master of science degree, and his formal 
military education includes the U.S. Army Advanced Infantry Course, the 
Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
  While he was a lieutenant, Buck Bedard served as a rifle platoon 
commander and company executive officer with 2d Battalion, 27th 
Marines, and 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, in the Republic of Vietnam. 
Subsequently, he was ordered to Quantico, VA, where he served as a 
staff officer and then as the commander with Schools Demonstrations 
Troops.
  Then-Captain Bedard was assigned to the U.S. Army Intelligence School 
as an instructor, and he later served as a company commander in the 3d 
Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. Following that tour of duty, Captain 
Bedard became the Marine officer instructor at the Naval Reserve 
Officer Training Unit at Vanderbilt University and was

[[Page S11986]]

a Platoon and Company Commander at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate 
School in Quantico, VA. Following his promotion to major, he served as 
the Logistics Officer, 7th Marines, and then as the executive officer, 
3d Battalion, 7th Marines.
  Then-Lieutenant Colonel Bedard served as the assistant operations 
officer, 1st Marine Amphibious Force, G-3, Pacific Plans Officer, and 
finally as the G-5. Assigned to NATO and stationed in Holland, LTC 
Bedard served in the Central Region Operations Division in charge of 
reinforcement operations of Allied Forces to Central Europe.
  Then-Colonel Bedard was reassigned to Twenty-Nine Palms, California, 
where he directed the Combined Arms Exercise Program at the Marine 
Corps Air Ground Combat Center. He became the Assistant G-3 for 
Operations for the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 1st Marine 
Expeditionary Force during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 
From May 1991, through June 1993, Colonel Bedard commanded the 7th 
Marine Regiment, which deployed to Somalia in December, 1992. In July, 
1993, he was assigned as the Assistant Division Commander for the 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, and in October 1993, he 
was reassigned as J-3 Operations Officer, Joint Task Force, Somalia.
  In June, 1994, Colonel Bedard was advanced to Brigadier General and 
was assigned as the President, Marine Corps University and Commanding 
General Marine Corps Schools, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, 
Quantico, Virginia. His next assignment in June, 1995, was as the 
Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. 
General Bedard assumed command of 2d Marine Division in July 1997, and 
was promoted to Major General on September 1, 1997. He assumed command 
of 2d Marine Expeditionary Force in July 1999. On June 29, 2000, 
General Bedard relinquished command of Second Marine Expeditionary 
Force and was advanced to his current rank. Lieutenant General Bedard 
has been the Deputy Commandant of Plans, Policies and Operations at 
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, since July 2000, where he has 
skillfully guided Marine Corps operations following September 11th, 
2001, and during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
  Throughout his career as a U.S. Marine, Lieutenant General Bedard has 
demonstrated his outstanding character, discerning wisdom, and deep 
sense of duty to his Country, his Corps, his Marines, and their 
families. On behalf of the U.S. Senate I thank Lieutenant General 
Bedard for his exemplary career, his many accomplishments, and his 
devoted service to our Nation. We also thank his wife, Linda, and their 
three children for sharing him with his country. Congratulations, 
Lieutenant General Bedard; your mission has been very well 
accomplished.

                          ____________________