[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E464-E465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO RETIRING GENERAL LEON J. LaPORTE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that General 
Leon J. LaPorte, Commander of the United Nations Command, Republic of 
Korea/United States Combined Forces and Commander of the United States 
Forces Korea, will soon be retiring after a long and distinguished 
career.
  General LaPorte was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated 
from the University of Rhode Island. He completed the Armor Officer 
Advanced Course in 1975 and he earned a Master's Degree in 
Administration from the University of California.
  After General LaPorte was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor, 
he served as a Platoon Leader and Motor Officer in Alpha Company, 3d 
Battalion, 64th Armor. In 1971, he served as a Platoon Commander and 
Company Executive Officer in the 283rd Aerial Weapons Company in the 
Republic of Vietnam. He commanded the 3d Battalion, 64th Armor, 3d 
Infantry Division in Schweinfur, Germany, and following the Army War 
College, he served as the G3, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. 
In October 1990, he deployed with the division to Southwest Asia and 
was Chief of Staff during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In 
1997, he assumed the duties of Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Operation and Plans, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, 
DC. Prior to assuming his current position, General LaPorte served as 
Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Forces Command.
  General LaPorte has earned numerous decorations and badges for his 
outstanding service in the military. These decorations and badges 
include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three oak 
leaf clusters), the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star Medal, 
the Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), an Air Medal 
(``V'' device), an Army Commendation Medal (``V'' device), a Vietnamese 
Cross of Gallantry (with Palm), a Kuwait Liberation Medal, an Army 
Aviator Badge, a Parachutist Badge, and a Ranger Tab.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in paying 
tribute to General Leon J. LaPorte for his exceptional service to the 
United States and will wish him all the best in the days ahead.

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