[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES E. SHERRARD III

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2004

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to our country are 
exceptional. This country has been fortunate to have dedicated 
individuals who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent 
and make this country a safer and better place to live. Lieutenant 
General James E. Sherrard III is one of these individuals. Today, May 
11, 2004, we should pause to honor him on the occasion of his 
retirement from the U.S. Air Force on May 31, 2004, after nearly 39 
years of service.
  Lieutenant General Sherrard was a distinguished graduate of the 
University of Mississippi's Reserve Officer Training Corps program and 
entered active duty in July of 1965. After flight school at Moody Air 
Force Base in Georgia, he became an instructor pilot at Sheppard Air 
Force Base in Texas and Eglin Auxiliary Field 3 in Florida. In 
September 1977, Lieutenant General Sherrard became the operations 
squadron for a C-130E squadron at Willow Grove Air Reserve Facility in 
Pennsylvania. Following this tour, he became the Assistant Deputy 
Commander, later, Deputy Commander for Operations of the 459th Tactical 
Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
  Since 1981, Lieutenant General Sherrard has commanded at the Group, 
Wing, and Air Force level including the 910th Tactical Airlift Group in 
Youngstown, Ohio, the 440th Tactical Airlift Wing at Billy Mitchell 
Field, Wisconsin, the 433rd Military Airlift Wing at Kelly Air Force 
Base, Texas, the 4th Air Force at McClellan Air Force Base, California, 
the 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Reserve Base in Georgia, and currently as 
the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander of the Air Force Reserve 
Command. He has accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flight time and 
has flown numerous aircraft including the T-41, T-37, T-38, C-130A/B/E/
H, AC-130A, C-141B, and C-5A/B.
  Throughout his distinguished career Lieutenant General Sherrard has 
received over 20 major awards and decorations including the 
Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal 
with three oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters; Air 
Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters; 
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters; National Defense 
Service Medal with bronze star; and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 
hourglass. In addition to his dedication to his military career, 
Lieutenant General Sherrard is a member of the Air Force Association, 
the Reserve Officer Association, the Order of the Daedalians and the 
Airlift and Tanker Association.
  Lieutenant General Sherrard's tireless passion for service to country 
and community has contributed immensely to the betterment of our 
nation's military and to the security of this nation. I am honored and 
proud to call him a fellow American and friend. I know that speaking 
for citizens across this country, I am grateful for his service and 
salute him as he moves on to the next chapter of his life.

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