[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 15 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S718-S719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RUSSELL H. PHELPS III, UNITED STATES NAVY

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today with friends and family 
to recognize the efforts and dedication of CDR Russell H. Phelps III, 
an outstanding American. Commander Phelps began his military career in 
1908 as an Arabic linguist assigned in Athens, Greece. Working in a 
national airborne reconnaissance program, he supported U.S. military 
missions to Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Honorably discharged in 
1985, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Northern Iowa 
in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.
  He earned a Naval commission as a Special Duty Officer (Cryptology) 
upon completion of the Officer Candidate School in September 1988, 
whereupon he was assigned to the Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) 
Rota, Spain. During that tour, he was assigned to the staff of the 
Commander, Middle East Force, Bahrain, and aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-987) 
and USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) in support of Operation Earnest Will, the 
escort of re-flagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf. Between 
1989 and 1991, Commander Phelps was additionally assigned to the USS 
Wainwright (CG-28), USS Baton Rouge (SSN-689), USS Silversides (SSN-
679), USS Providence (SSN-719), and to the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) 
during combat support operations throughout Operation Desert Storm.
  Commander Phelps next assignment was to the USS Oldendorf, where he 
served as the Cryptologic Officer, Tactical Action Officer, and for 6 
months as the Operations Officer, culminating in his qualifications as 
a Surface Warfare Officer. Detaching in 1994, he reported to Menwith 
Hill Station, Harrogate, England, and served as a Deputy Division Chief 
and member of the Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC) transition 
team. A plank owner of NSGA Menwith Hill, he simultaneously served in 
operations and as its first Executive Officer from 1995 to 1996. 
Commander Phelps next served at the Tactical Training Group Pacific, 
San Diego, CA, where he provided training to Battle group and warfare 
commanders in Cryptology, Information Warfare, and space systems 
operations. From 1999 to 2001, Commander Phelps served on the Staff of 
Commander, Carrier Group Seven as the

[[Page S719]]

Flag Cryptologist and deployed to the Middle East as the Cryptologic 
Resources Coordinator for John C. Stennis Battle Group and Bon Homme 
Richard Amphibious Ready Group.
  Commander Phelps' most recent assignment was at U.S. Naval War 
College, Newport, RI, where he earned a Master of Arts (with 
Distinction) in Strategy and National Security Decision Making.
  Military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 
Air Medal (4 oak clusters in lieu of 5th award), Navy and Marine Corps 
Commendation Medal (two gold stars in lieu of third award), Navy and 
Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), as 
well as several unit and campaign awards.
  Commander Phelps is married to the former Ms. Diana Weetman, of North 
Yorkshire, England.
  Mr. President, I stand with all those whose lives are richer for 
having known Commander Phelps to commemorate and recognize his efforts 
and dedication on this Sixth day of February, Two-thousand and 
Four.

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