[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E448-E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF VICE ADMIRAL JOHN H. ``JACK'' FETTERMAN, 
                    JR., UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and 
honor that I rise today to recognize a true patriot, Vice Admiral Jack 
Fetterman, United States Navy, retired. Admiral Fetterman left us 
Friday night, March 24th. He was 73 years old. Vicki and I were 
saddened to learn of his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with 
his wife Nancy Glenn Austin and their two sons, John and Kevin.
  The Pensacola News Journal called him ``a tireless civic leader who 
dreamed big, never stopped working for Pensacola and always was 
thinking of how to make it a better place to live'' and I would add 
that few people have shown the perseverance, dedication and commitment 
to our community that he has shown.
  Admiral Fetterman was born in Ashland, Pennsylvania on 4 August 1932. 
He began college at Susquehana University, graduating from Albright 
College in 1954. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States 
Navy in 1955 and was designated a naval aviator in 1956.

[[Page E449]]

  Vice Admiral Fetterman's first operational tour was with Attack 
Squadron 105 at Cecil Field, Florida. Flying A-IH Skyraiders from the 
deck of the aircraft carrier USS Essex 
(CVA-) in the Sixth and Seventh Fleets, he participated in both the 
Lebanon and Formosa crises in 1958. In October 1959, he reported to 
Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic and served as Light 
Attack Nuclear Weapons Training Instructor.
  Following this tour, he reported to Attack Squadron 44 for A-4 
Skyhawk replacement pilot training prior to joining the staff of the 
Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard the aircraft carrier USS 
Forestall (CVA-59). After tours at the Naval War College and Attack 
Squadron 44, Vice Admiral Fetterman reported to Attack Squadron 81 
aboard the aircraft carrier Shangri-La (CV-38) where he served as 
maintenance officer during two Mediterranean deployments. A tour in 
Attack Squadron 174, where he served as Operations Officer, was 
followed by orders to Attack Squadron 87 as executive officer.
  In March 1972, while deployed in the Mediterranean aboard the 
aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-4), Vice Admiral 
Fetterman assumed command of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN's ``Golden 
Warriors.'' During this command tour, he was selected as team leader of 
a joint U.S. Navy and Air Force air-to-ground weapons team, which 
represented the United States in NATO competition in Greece. In March 
1973, Vice Admiral Fetterman reported to the Office of Legislative 
Affairs, Washington, D.C., where he served for two years as assistant 
director for the Navy Senate Liaison Office. In July 1975, he assumed 
command of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT aboard the aircraft carrier USS 
Nimitz (CVN-68) and made deployments to the Caribbean, North Atlantic 
and Mediterranean.
  In January 1977, Vice Admiral Fetterman assumed command of the 
command ship USS La Salle (AGF03), flagship of Commander, Middle East 
Forces. In March 1978, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval 
Operations where he served as Special Projects Manager of the Royal 
Saudi Naval Forces Expansion Program. In February 1979, Vice Admiral 
Fetterman assumed command of U.S. Naval Base, Naval Station, and Naval 
Air Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was selected for Rear Admiral in 
February 1981, and, in July, assumed duties as the Commander of 
Tactical Wings, Atlantic. In July 1983, he reported as Commander, 
Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. From May to December 1985, he 
served on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command and 
U.S. Atlantic Fleet as Deputy Chief of Staff for Readiness and 
Resources. In December 1985, he assumed his duties as Naval Inspector 
General. On 1 September 1987, he was promoted to the rank of Vice 
Admiral and in August assumed the duties as Commander, Naval Air Force, 
U.S. Pacific Fleet. On 1 February 1991, he assumed the duties as Chief 
of Naval Education and Training. Vice Admiral Fetterman retired from 
active duty on 1 March 1993.
  His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense 
Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (five awards), the 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the 
Meritorious Unit commendation in addition to various campaign and 
service awards. During his naval career, Vice Admiral Fetterman 
accumulated 7,000 hours of flight time in 20 different aircraft and 
recorded 960 carrier landings.
  In November 1993, Vice Admiral Fetterman assumed his most recent 
position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Naval Aviation 
Museum Foundation. He served as Chairman of the Mayor's Community Core 
Values Board; the Board of Directors, EAA; Past Chairman of the 
Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of Chamber 
Military Affairs; past Chairman of the USS Mitscher, USS Bonhomme 
Richard and USS Iwo Jima Commissioning Committees.
  While his Navy career was long and distinguished, Admiral Fetterman's 
post-Navy accomplishments and contributions to Northwest Florida were 
just as significant. He had the exceptional vision to look at the city 
of Pensacola and not see what it was, or what it is, rather, he saw 
what it could be.
   Mr. Speaker, Admiral Fetterman was a man of unquestionable 
character, unwavering resolve and unmatched determination. He 
represented everything that is great about Pensacola, our Nation and 
the United States Navy. His presence will be deeply missed, but his 
example will always be with us.

                          ____________________